Tag: IndianCricket

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Goa’s Madar Basappa Shines as India Legends Storm into Asian Legend Cup 2026 Final

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s Madar Basappa produced a match-defining performance with the ball as India Legends registered a thumping 104-run victory over Hong Kong in a league match of the Asian Legend Cup 2026 in Thailand, sealing their place in the tournament final. The win marked yet another dominant display by the Indian side in an impressive campaign.

After opting to bat first, India Legends piled up a massive 240 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs, powered by aggressive knocks from Bhanu Seth, Parminder and Amer Khan. The imposing total put Hong Kong under immense pressure from the outset, setting the stage for India’s bowlers to take control of the contest.

Madar Basappa emerged as the standout performer with the ball, delivering an exceptional spell of 3 wickets for just 17 runs in his four overs. Bowling with sharp control, variation and discipline, the Goan all-rounder struck at crucial moments to dismantle Hong Kong’s chase. He removed Kamal as the batter attempted to steady the innings, dismissed Ibrez soon after, and then produced a key moment by stumping Iftikhar to halt any hopes of a recovery. His economy rate of 3.75 reflected the pressure he consistently applied on the batters.

Hong Kong were eventually restricted to 136 in 20 overs, never able to recover from the damage inflicted by Basappa and the disciplined Indian bowling unit. While Bhanu Seth was named Player of the Match for his explosive batting performance, Madar Basappa’s spell stood out as one of the defining highlights of the encounter.

Basappa’s contribution brought pride to Goa as he showcased his talent on a major international stage. The all-rounder has also represented Gomanchal Warriors in the GVCL tournament and continues to strengthen his reputation as a dependable match-winner. India Legends have enjoyed a dominant run in the tournament, beginning with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka, followed by a comprehensive 77-run victory against arch-rivals Pakistan and a close 12-run win over Bangladesh, underlining their strong form heading into the final of the Asian Legend Cup 2026.

Sports

Virat Kohli Poised to Reclaim World No.1 ODI Batting Spot After Stunning 93 vs New Zealand

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Virat Kohli is on the brink of reclaiming the World No.1 spot in ICC ODI batting rankings following another masterclass innings against New Zealand, underlining his remarkable consistency and elite fitness levels.

Kohli’s fluent 93-run knock helped India take a 1–0 lead in the ODI series, and capped an extraordinary run that has seen him score 469 runs in his last five ODIs at an astonishing average of over 150. This surge has allowed him to close an eight-point gap and edge past teammate Rohit Sharma in the latest rankings update.

Cricket experts and former players believe Kohli’s form mirrors his vintage “chase-master” era, where composure, precision, and hunger defined his batting. Former India captain Mohammad Kaif recently remarked that Kohli’s discipline and fitness could see him represent India all the way till the 2031 World Cup.

Fans across the country have erupted in celebration. One admirer reportedly spent ₹15 lakh on a customised gold iPhone case engraved with Kohli’s image, reflecting the unmatched devotion the former India skipper commands.

As India prepares for the day-night ODI in Rajkot, all eyes remain on Kohli — not just for the rankings milestone, but for yet another reminder of why he continues to be one of the greatest batters of the modern era.

Sports

Goa Bowled Out for 164 on Day 1 of Cooch Behar Trophy Quarterfinal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa were bundled out for 164 in their first innings on the opening day of the Cooch Behar Trophy Elite quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, played at the GCA ground in Sanguem on Thursday. After winning the toss and opting to field, Madhya Pradesh bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths throughout the day, putting Goa under sustained pressure in the four-day Under-19 encounter.

Goa’s innings lasted 82.5 overs, with only a handful of batters managing to offer resistance. The highlight of the innings was a vital fifth-wicket partnership of 76 runs between Dishank Misquin and Aradhya Goyal, which helped Goa recover from a precarious position. Misquin top-scored with a determined 44, while Goyal registered a composed half-century, scoring 50 with five well-timed boundaries. Opener Sarthak Bhike also contributed a steady 31 at the top, but the middle and lower order failed to capitalise on starts. For Madhya Pradesh, Yashbardhan Singh Chauhan emerged as the standout bowler, returning impressive figures of 3 for 34, well supported by Ayush Shukla and Prateek Shukla, who claimed two wickets each. At stumps on Day 1, Madhya Pradesh reached 12 for 1 in four overs, ending the day with a narrow advantage, setting up an evenly poised contest heading into the second day.

Sports

Goa Tightens Grip on Uttar Pradesh, Nears Victory in Cooch Behar Trophy Clash

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa asserted firm control over Uttar Pradesh on the second day of the Cooch Behar Trophy Elite U-19 four-day match at the GCA Ground in Sanguem, positioning themselves strongly for an outright victory. After bowling out Uttar Pradesh for a modest 125 in the first innings, Goa responded with an impressive 289 in 102.5 overs, securing a commanding 164-run lead. Sai Rajesh Naik played a crucial role with a composed 65 off 138 balls, while captain Yash Kasvankar added a valuable 61. Their efforts were supported by significant contributions from Aditya Kota with 48, Shantanu Nevagi with 28, Dishank Misquin with 25 and Chigurupati Venkata with 28, helping Goa build a solid advantage. Uttar Pradesh found some resistance through bowlers Ayan Akram and Yash Panwar, who claimed three wickets each, but it wasn’t enough to halt Goa’s momentum.

Facing a massive deficit, Uttar Pradesh faltered early in their second innings. Chigurupati Venkata struck twice, dismissing Shantanu Singh and later Anmol Nusran for 12, while skipper Yash Kasvankar added to the pressure by sending back Bhavya Sharma with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort. With Uttar Pradesh struggling at 54 for 3 in 22 overs at stumps and still trailing by 110 runs, Goa holds complete control of the match. The hosts now appear firmly on course to wrap up an emphatic victory on Day 3, having dominated with both bat and ball and maintaining relentless pressure throughout the contest.

Sports

Goa’s Saibar Mulla Appointed BCCI Match Observer for India–South Africa Test in Guwahati

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa’s cricket administration has received a significant boost with the appointment of Saibar Mulla as the BCCI Match Observer for the second Test match between India and South Africa in Guwahati. Mulla, a former junior cricketer who represented Goa at U-13, U-14, and U-15 levels, described this recognition as a proud moment not only for himself but for the entire Goan cricket community.

Reflecting on his journey, Saibar credited his father, Akbar Mulla—who served the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) in several key capacities including Treasurer, Senior Vice-President, and member of the BCCI Marketing Committee—for inspiring his early involvement in cricket administration. Over the years, Saibar served as President of Akbar Sports Club, managed club-level cricket operations, and actively participated in GCA organising committees for A Division, B Division, and Premier League tournaments, eventually becoming a co-opted member of the GCA.

He highlighted five key mentors who shaped his administrative journey: his father Akbar Mulla, senior GCA stalwart Chetan Desai, Vinod Phadke, former GCA President Suraj Lotlikar, and current GCA President Mahesh Desai. Their guidance, combined with his own dedication, paved the way for his national-level appointment.

As a BCCI Match Observer, Saibar will oversee the logistical and operational aspects of the Test match, ensuring compliance with regulations and smooth execution of the event. He emphasized the broader significance of this role, stating that it reflects the emerging administrative talent from Goa and serves as inspiration for umpires, scorers, and administrators in the state.

Saibar’s journey from a junior cricketer to a national-level administrator illustrates Goa’s contribution to Indian cricket beyond the playing field. He hopes his appointment will motivate young Goans to pursue careers behind the scenes in cricket, stressing the importance of hard work, passion, and dedication to the sport. This achievement stands as a testament to Goa’s growing presence in national cricket administration and highlights the state’s commitment to nurturing talent and contributing meaningfully to Indian cricket.