Tag: sports-games

Sports

Goa Beat Assam by 3 Wickets in Men’s U-23 State ‘A’ Trophy

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa registered a commanding three-wicket win over Assam in the Men’s Under-23 State ‘A’ Trophy Elite One-Day Tournament, held at the Kotambi Stadium ‘B’ in Vadodara on Tuesday. With this victory, Goa strengthened their position in the Elite ‘B’ Group standings, collecting four points from two matches.

Winning the toss, Goa elected to bowl first and made full use of the conditions. Assam’s innings saw several starts but lacked a defining partnership. Roshan Topno top-scored with 53 runs, while Mayukh Hazarika (37), Sumit Kashyap (32), and Rohit Sen (31) offered useful contributions. Goa’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure, with Anuj Yadav producing a standout performance, taking four wickets for just 22 runs. He received excellent support from Kutbudin Jamadar, who claimed three wickets for 26 runs. Lakhmesh Pawne, Kaustubh Pingulkar, and Manish Kakode chipped in with one wicket each as Assam were bowled out for 215 in 42.4 overs.

Chasing 216, Goa’s innings got off to a steady start before a 102-run partnership between Sanath Nevagi and Chittem Jeevankumar changed the course of the match. Sanath continued his remarkable form, scoring a fluent 85 off 63 balls, laced with nine fours and five sixes. Having narrowly missed a century in the previous match, he once again fell short of the milestone but set up the chase perfectly. Jeevankumar played the anchor role initially before accelerating to 71 off 90 balls, striking six boundaries and two sixes.

Despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs, Goa maintained composure. Shivendra Bhujbal (14 not out) and Anuj Yadav (2 not out) ensured no further setbacks, guiding Goa to 216 for 7 in 38.5 overs and sealing victory with 67 balls remaining.

With this win, Goa now have four points from two games and continue to look strong in the Elite ‘B’ Group. Their next fixture is against Gujarat at the Motibaug Ground in Vadodara on Thursday, November 13.

Sports

Goa in Commanding Position Against Madhya Pradesh in Ranji Trophy Clash

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa took a decisive step toward victory in their Ranji Trophy Group B match against Madhya Pradesh at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim. After establishing a vital 97-run first-innings lead, Goa’s bowlers, led by V. Koushik, maintained firm control over proceedings. Madhya Pradesh, resuming their innings at 181 for 7, could add only six more runs before being bowled out for 187 in reply to Goa’s 284. Koushik was the standout performer with a five-wicket haul for just 34 runs in 19 overs, including six maidens. Arjun Tendulkar and Lalit Yadav also made important contributions with two wickets each.

In their second innings, Goa batted confidently to post 230 runs in 65.4 overs, setting Madhya Pradesh a challenging target of 328. Abhinav Tejarana led the scoring with a composed 69, while Lalit Yadav made 42 and Rajshekhar Harikant added 40. Captain Snehal Kauthankar contributed a steady 23. The crucial 78-run partnership between Abhinav and Lalit for the fourth wicket provided the backbone of Goa’s innings. For Madhya Pradesh, Kumar Kartikeya bowled tirelessly, finishing with figures of 5 for 81, supported by Md Arshad Khan with three wickets and Saransh Jain with two.

At the close of the third day, Madhya Pradesh had reached 21 for 1 in 10 overs, still needing 307 runs for victory on the final day. Goa, with nine wickets to claim, are within touching distance of a memorable triumph.

In a notable first for the Goa team, Rajshekhar Harikant became the state’s first concussion substitute in Ranji Trophy history, replacing Samar Dubhashi, who was struck on the helmet by a delivery from Kuldeep Sen. The incident underscored the growing emphasis on player safety in domestic cricket and highlighted Goa’s adaptability in a competitive contest.

Goa’s balanced performance across departments has put them in pole position to seal a vital win and strengthen their standing in the Ranji Trophy Group B table.

Sports

Goa Tightens Control Over Madhya Pradesh in Ranji Trophy Group B Encounter

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa continued their impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy Group B clash against Madhya Pradesh, tightening their grip on the game at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim. After posting 284 in their first innings, Goa’s bowlers struck early and often to leave Madhya Pradesh in deep trouble at 181 for 7 at stumps on the second day.

Resuming from their overnight score of 256 for 8, Goa added valuable runs through Deeparaj Gaonkar, who converted his unbeaten 30 into a composed half-century, scoring 51 before being dismissed. His steady innings helped Goa push their total to 284 before being bowled out. For Madhya Pradesh, off-spinner Saransh Jain was the standout performer with figures of 4 for 78, while left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya supported with 3 for 88. Aryan Pandey, Kuldeep Sen, and captain Shubham Sharma chipped in with a wicket each.

Madhya Pradesh’s reply got off to a disastrous start as Goa’s pace attack, spearheaded by Arjun Tendulkar and Koushik, wreaked havoc. Arjun dismissed Yash Dubey and Himanshu Mantri early, while Koushik removed Harsh Gawali and Harpreet Bhatia in quick succession to leave MP reeling at 38 for 4. The situation worsened when captain Shubham Sharma fell for 16, again to Koushik, reducing the visitors to a precarious 56 for 5.

Rishabh Chouhan and Saransh Jain offered brief resistance with a 54-run stand for the sixth wicket, followed by a 43-run partnership between Jain and Aryan Pandey, which prevented complete collapse. However, Goa’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout, with Koushik finishing as the standout performer, claiming 3 for 33. Arjun Tendulkar backed him effectively with 2 for 34, while Lalit Yadav contributed with 2 for 22.

At stumps on Day 2, Madhya Pradesh trailed Goa’s total by 103 runs with just three wickets in hand. The home side is now poised to claim a crucial first-innings lead as the match heads into the third day, continuing their impressive run in this Ranji Trophy season.

Human Interest

Marcus Stoinis Gets Engaged to Longtime Partner Sarah Czarnuch Off the Coast of Spain

Tanisha Cardozo

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has taken a significant step off the field, getting engaged to his long-time partner Sarah Czarnuch in a romantic proposal off the coast of Spain. The couple, who have been together since 2021, shared the moment with the world through Sarah’s heartfelt Instagram post: “On a boat off the coast of Spain, I said the easiest yes of my life.” The engagement brought a beautiful blend of sports and fashion into the spotlight, drawing admiration from fans around the globe.

Sarah Czarnuch has built an impressive career of her own. A model who has worked with leading brands in Australia and internationally, she is also a fashion entrepreneur. Her design label, ‘SarahCzarnuch X Elliatt,’ showcases her modern, creative vision and has become known for its chic and contemporary collections. In addition, she lends her expertise to GT Magazine in Australia as a beauty columnist, where she shares tips on skincare, fashion trends, and lifestyle insights.

While Sarah has continued to grow her fashion and beauty footprint, Marcus Stoinis remains a key figure in international cricket. Earlier this year in February, Stoinis retired from One Day Internationals (ODIs) to focus on T20 cricket. His ODI career spanned 71 matches, beginning in 2015, during which he scored 1,495 runs at an average of 26.7 and a strike rate nearing 94. His standout performance came early in his career when he scored an unbeaten 146 against New Zealand. He also contributed with the ball, taking 48 wickets with best figures of 3 for 16, and was part of Australia’s victorious 2023 World Cup squad. In recognition of his contributions, he was named Australia’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2018-19.

In T20 internationals, Stoinis has proven himself to be a valuable asset. With 1,245 runs at an average of 31.92 and an explosive strike rate of 148.57, he has delivered match-winning performances for Australia. He has also claimed 45 wickets with a best of 4 for 23, reinforcing his all-rounder status.

The engagement of Marcus and Sarah marks a joyful new chapter in their journey together. Their story is one of shared success and mutual support, each thriving in their respective fields while nurturing a relationship away from the constant public gaze. From the cricket stadiums to the world of fashion and lifestyle, the couple continues to captivate — this time with a celebration of love.

Human Interest

Arjun Tendulkar’s Rumoured Engagement to Saaniya Chandok Sparks Buzz

Tanisha Cardozo

A Private Engagement or Just Public Curiosity?

In what might be Mumbai’s most talked-about (but unconfirmed) engagement of the year, Arjun Tendulkar—cricketer and son of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar—is rumoured to be engaged to Saaniya Chandok, granddaughter of hospitality magnate Ravi Ghai. The alleged engagement reportedly took place in a private setting, with only close family and friends in attendance, according to a report by India Today.

However, Times Now Digital stated they couldn’t verify the claim independently, leaving the rumour mill to churn—with equal parts speculation and excitement.

Who Is Saaniya Chandok?

While not a public figure in the traditional sense, Saaniya Chandok is no stranger to pedigree. Her grandfather, Ravi Ghai, is a cornerstone of India’s hospitality industry through Graviss Hospitality Ltd., which owns the InterContinental hotel on Marine Drive and popular dessert brand The Brooklyn Creamery.

But Saaniya has carved her own entrepreneurial path. A graduate of the London School of Economics and a certified Veterinary Technician (Worldwide Veterinary Service, 2024), she is also the founder of Mr. Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP, a boutique pet care brand based in Mumbai.

Inside the Ghai Hospitality Empire

The Ghai family legacy stretches back to the 1940s, beginning with Iqbal Krishan “IK” Ghai, known as the ‘Maharajah of Ice Cream’. From serving American soldiers homemade ice cream during WWII to founding Kwality Ice Cream, his sweet innovations redefined India’s dessert industry.

His son, Ravi Ghai, took the brand global and diversified into luxury hospitality with the InterContinental. However, recent headlines have been less flattering: just weeks ago, Ravi and his son Gaurav were reportedly embroiled in a legal dispute over control of Graviss Hospitality—allegations of forgery and betrayal casting a shadow over the otherwise iconic brand.

How Do Saaniya and Arjun Know Each Other?

While neither the Tendulkar nor Ghai families have spoken publicly, signs of a budding bond have been visible for some time. Social media detectives have found images of Saaniya and Arjun’s sister, Sara Tendulkar, vacationing together in Jaipur and attending IPL matches—suggesting more than just surface-level acquaintance.

Where Is Arjun Tendulkar in His Career?

Professionally, Arjun continues to chase cricketing dreams. A left-arm fast bowler, he plays for Goa in domestic cricket and appeared for the Mumbai Indians in the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons. Despite the spotlight on his last name, he’s working steadily to build his own path in Indian cricket.

Interestingly, just hours before the reported engagement, Arjun’s Instagram story showed only a cricket ground with the caption: “Just cricket ground.” Poetic timing or pure coincidence?

Following in Sachin’s Romantic Footsteps?

If true, Arjun’s engagement would echo his father’s romantic journey. Sachin Tendulkar proposed to Anjali Mehta when he was just 19, waiting until 22 to marry in 1995. Like his father, Arjun seems to favour quiet commitment over loud declarations—perhaps a modern update to a classic love story.

Mumbai’s Next Power Couple in the Making?

Cricket legacy on one side. Hospitality royalty on the other. Both deeply rooted in Mumbai’s elite circles. If the rumoured engagement proves true, Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok could very well become the city’s next power couple—balancing fame, business, and quiet charisma.

But until we hear it from the Tendulkars or Ghais themselves, this remains a story wrapped in rumour, tradition, and tantalising curiosity.