Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk
MCC Thunder moved to the top of the MCL 11 table after pulling off a tense 2-wicket win over MCC Avengers in a gripping T20 contest at the MCC Ground in Margao. The match went down to the very last over, with Thunder successfully chasing the target of 166 in 19.5 overs. The win, which takes their tally to 8 points, showcased disciplined bowling, calm batting under pressure and a standout all-round performance from Ved Mahambrey, who was adjudged Man of the Match.
MCC Avengers, batting first, posted 165/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Their innings was built on steady contributions from Venkatesh Nevagi, who struck 24, followed by a valuable 35 from Amod Borkar and a well-compiled 40 from Vedant Naik. However, the Thunder bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings. Sudhir Shet delivered an impressive spell with figures of 2/22, while Sudesh Rane picked up 2/44. Ved Mahambrey chipped in with 1/17, and the experienced Dr. Rohan Badve bowled economically for his 1/14. Om Fadte also contributed with the ball, returning figures of 1/27.
Chasing 166, MCC Thunder began steadily but faced resistance from the Avengers’ bowlers. The innings gained momentum through a composed 36 from Om Fadte, followed by a crucial 39 from Roshan Naik, who kept the scoreboard ticking at a vital phase. The chase was anchored beautifully by Ved Mahambrey, whose 38 proved to be the defining knock in the pressure-filled chase. With wickets falling around him, Mahambre’s calm presence ensured Thunder stayed on course.
The Avengers bowlers fought back valiantly. Amod Borkar picked up 2/32, while Siddhant Amonkar claimed 1/30. Venkatesh Nevagi showed his all-round ability with 1/25, and Gopal Gawas chipped in with 1/17. Despite their efforts, the total proved just short as Thunder held their nerve to cross the finish line with one ball remaining.
The thrilling victory reflected Thunder’s resilience and teamwork, taking them to the top of the standings and further intensifying the race in MCL 11.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk
Goa entered the knockout stage of the Cooch Behar Trophy Elite cricket tournament after holding Bengal to a hard-fought draw on Thursday, extending their unbeaten run in Group ‘D’. With three wins and one draw from four matches, Goa now stand at an impressive 23 points, securing qualification with one league match still remaining. The match, played at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani, showcased Goa’s discipline, determination, and ability to stand strong against one of the tournament’s toughest sides.
Bengal declared their second innings at 255 for 9 in 43 overs, setting Goa a challenging target of 229 runs. With the pitch favouring the bowlers and time running out, Goa approached the chase with caution and composure. They finished at 126 for 6 in 74.5 overs, ensuring the match ended in a draw and earning a valuable three points. Bengal settled for one.
Resuming from their overnight score of 185 for 4, Bengal added 70 runs in 12 overs but lost five wickets in the process. Goa’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, with Chigurupati Venkata leading the attack by taking 3 wickets for 58 runs. Shiven Borker supported well with figures of 2 for 52, while Mihir Kudalkar claimed a wicket. Bengal also suffered three run-outs, which helped Goa tighten their grip at crucial moments.
In Goa’s second innings, skipper Yash Kasvankar anchored the batting with a fighting 43 off 98 balls, hitting six boundaries in an innings defined by patience and responsibility. Opener Sarthak Bhike contributed a determined 30 off 130 balls, blunting Bengal’s attack and consuming valuable time. Shantanu Nevagi and Dishank Misquin played important supporting roles despite low scores, holding their wickets when the team needed stability the most. Aradhya Goyal remained unbeaten on 11 off 57 balls, while Mihir Kudalkar and Sai Naik ensured Goa did not crumble under pressure in the final session. For Bengal, Rohit Das and Rohit took two wickets each.
Earlier in the match, Bengal had posted 325 in 100.1 overs in their first innings. Goa responded strongly with 352 in 113.3 overs, gaining an important 27-run lead that played a crucial role in the final outcome. With momentum on their side and confidence running high, Goa now prepare for their final Group D match against Chandigarh on December 16.
The draw against Bengal reflects Goa’s growing maturity, depth, and resilience as a team. Their qualification for the knockouts highlights their consistent performances throughout the tournament and sets the stage for an exciting next phase as they chase greater glory.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk
In response to the operational crisis faced by Indigo Airlines, the Airports Authority of India, in coordination with all stakeholders, implemented a series of proactive measures to ensure smooth and uninterrupted airport operations. Extensive manpower was deployed across all passenger touchpoints including check-in, pre-security hold areas, boarding gates, and city-side zones to prevent congestion and ensure seamless queue management. Airport Operators provided additional check-in counters, while both airlines and airport teams strengthened staff presence to guide and support passengers.
To ensure a smooth flow of city-side operations, AAI coordinated closely with CISF, Goa Police, and the Traffic Police for crowd management around the Indigo ticketing counter. Extra ticketing counters were allotted for passenger convenience, and traffic authorities ensured lane discipline. CISF Quick Response Teams and Goa Police maintained surveillance to avoid any untoward incidents, while digibuddies assisted passengers at entry gates and additional CISF personnel facilitated faster terminal access. Seating availability, trolley retrieval, kids’ zone facilities, and swing operations were maintained for passenger comfort.
Monitoring of the terminal was strengthened through senior-level committees conducting frequent checks to ensure service delivery and a high standard of cleanliness. All washrooms, including city-side facilities, were fully manned with adequate consumables, and housekeeping teams maintained continuous cleaning cycles. First-aid facilities, wheelchairs, baby-care amenities including kettles, water, napkins, and diapers were ensured without interruption. The “May I Help You” counters were reinforced, with staff deployed at key passenger interaction points such as check-in and the security hold area. The Flybrary at the SHA was updated with reading materials, and concessions ensured the availability of refreshments, milk, and diabetic dietary options. Priority assistance was extended to wheelchair users, PRMs, seniors, pregnant women, and mothers with infants.
Information dissemination was strengthened through real-time updates in coordination with airlines. Flight Information Display Systems operated smoothly, and social-media platforms of Goa International Airport communicated timely updates regarding delays or cancellations. Airlines issued SMS and online notifications to passengers, and refreshment provisions were ensured for affected travelers.
Operational manpower remained robust, with check-in and ticketing counters fully staffed. Stakeholder representatives worked together from the 24×7 Control Room and AOCC. City-side deployments of security, traffic police, and housekeeping teams ensured uninterrupted operations. Baggage delivery was prompt with no congestion in the baggage claim areas, and any residual baggage was cleared the same day. Help desks manned by Indigo and the airport operator remained active at the city-side, departure hall, and arrivals zone.
A dedicated control room operated round-the-clock with representatives from Airlines, CISF, State Police, and AAI to handle coordination and grievances. Messages regarding delays and cancellations were disseminated promptly through digital displays, social media, and airline communication systems.
As per the directives of MoCA, a senior Director from the Ministry visited Goa Airport on 9.12.2025 to assess the facilities and action taken by AAI and stakeholders. He appreciated the proactive efforts of the Airport Operator, all airlines including Indigo, CISF, Police authorities, and supporting teams for ensuring smooth handling of the situation and briefed the media on the current status.
Airport operations have since normalized, with only an average of seven planned cancellations per day. Since these cancellations are pre-advised, passengers do not arrive at the airport, preventing congestion. Passengers who visit for ticket changes or cancellations are assisted 24×7 by the airline ticketing counter and the Duty Terminal Manager of AAI. All measures continue to be implemented to ensure a safe, seamless, and passenger-friendly airport environment.
Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk
The MCL 11 T20 cricket tournament continued to deliver exciting cricketing action at the MCC Ground in Margao, where MCC Avengers and MCC Thunder secured convincing victories in their respective matches. In the morning encounter, MCC Stallions posted 142 for 9 in 20 overs with contributions from Rueben Karekar, who scored 25, and Dr. Ankush Patil, who remained unbeaten on 35. The Avengers’ bowling attack was spearheaded by Amod Borkar with an impressive 3 for 20, while Venkatesh Nevagi matched the effort with 3 for 24.
Gopal Gawas and Siddhant Amonkar added crucial breakthroughs as well. Chasing the target, MCC Avengers displayed excellent control and aggression. Venkatesh Nevagi continued his all-round brilliance with a solid 36-run knock, supported by Amod Borkar who added 39 and Vedant Naik who contributed 37. The Avengers reached 143 for 4 in just 15.2 overs, sealing a comfortable 6-wicket win. Nevagi’s impactful performance with both bat and ball earned him the Man of the Match award.
The afternoon match witnessed MCC Tigers setting a target of 141 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Key contributions came from Shailu with 29, Vaibhav Naik with 35, and Ketan Kunde with 27. MCC Thunder’s disciplined bowling effort was highlighted by Sudesh Rane’s excellent 3 for 19, while Nikhil Bhoomkar and Roshan Naik chipped in with economical spells.
In response, MCC Thunder executed a composed chase, finishing at 143 for 4 in 18.1 overs. Sahil Adwalpalkar made 29, while Roshan Naik played a crucial innings of 39 runs. Ved Mahambre anchored the chase with an unbeaten 31. The Tigers’ bowlers, including Balkrishna Hodarkar, Jamir, Mrunmay Das and Sanat Kamat, picked up a wicket each but couldn’t prevent the inevitable. Roshan Naik’s valuable all-round contribution earned him the Man of the Match title.
The day closed with both MCC Avengers and MCC Thunder strengthening their campaign with authoritative wins, showcasing depth, discipline and strong individual performances in the ongoing MCL 11 tournament.
Škoda Auto India has marked a significant achievement in its 25th year in the country by crossing the milestone of 500,000 units sold. This landmark moment arrives as the brand records one of its strongest years ever, supported by consistent month-on-month momentum and growing customer trust. In November 2025 alone, Škoda Auto India sold 5,491 units, registering an impressive 90% year-on-year growth compared to the same period last year.
The company attributes this continued success to an expanding network, customer-centric ownership experiences, and a product portfolio that appeals to a diverse range of Indian buyers. Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Škoda Auto India, expressed that their growing footprint, value-driven offerings, and robust lineup have been key contributors to both the 5 lakh cumulative sales and the company’s steady growth trajectory.
The brand’s strong foundation in India was built on its sedan legacy. The Octavia, a nameplate with 130 years of global brand heritage and 25 years in India, continues to be an icon. A highlight of the anniversary year was the return of the Octavia RS, which saw overwhelming enthusiasm with every unit allocated to India being sold out within just 20 minutes of bookings opening. Complementing this heritage is the Slavia sedan, available in both 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI variants, contributing to Škoda’s strong presence in the sedan segment.
In the SUV category, Škoda Auto India offers a wide range of options from INR 7.5 lakh to Rs 45.9 lakh, appealing to customers across various aspirations. The premium Kodiaq 4×4 continues to maintain its position as a unique luxury offering in its segment. The Kushaq, built on the India-focused MQB-A0-IN platform, not only blends comfort and performance but also became the first car in India to receive a full five-star rating for both adult and child occupants under Global NCAP’s updated safety norms.
Adding to this safety legacy is the Kylaq SUV, which has secured a five-star rating in Bharat NCAP’s safety tests. With over 320 customer touchpoints across 180 cities, Škoda Auto India’s network expansion further strengthens its connection with customers across the country.
As the brand continues to broaden its offerings and customer engagement initiatives, it remains poised for sustained growth, solidifying its journey through what is shaping up to be its biggest and most successful year in India.
