Tag: Sports

Sports

Legal Titans Stay in Semifinal Race; United Brothers Extend Winning Streak in Advocates Cricket League

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Legal Titans and United Brothers produced impressive performances in Sunday’s Advocates Cricket League 2025–26 T20 matches at the Chicalim ground, Vasco, keeping fans engaged with competitive cricket. United Brothers continued their dominant run by registering their fourth consecutive victory, while Legal Titans stayed alive in the race for the semifinals with a convincing win.

In the opening encounter, Lotlikar Lions set a challenging total of 167 for 8 in their 20 overs. Venkatesh Rathod led the charge with a powerful 79 off 40 balls, striking seven fours and four sixes, while Prashant Borkar added a steady 45. Legal Titans responded strongly with the ball, as Satchit Mauskar delivered a standout spell to claim four wickets, well supported by Jeevan Divkar who picked up two.

Chasing the target, Legal Titans made light work of the chase, racing to 168 for 4 in just 15 overs. Pravin Gawas played a blistering knock of 68 from 37 balls, smashing six fours and five sixes, while Satyam Ghogale contributed a solid 37 to seal a morale-boosting victory and keep their semifinal hopes intact.

In the second match, United Brothers were bowled out for 134 in 17.3 overs, with Rahul Shet, Dattaraj Gawas and Dattaraj Parab providing key contributions. Risers’ bowlers Dattaraj Arondekar and Sandeep Naik picked up three wickets apiece to restrict the total.

However, Risers failed to capitalise on the modest target and were dismissed for 106 in 18.1 overs. Raghu Parab starred with the ball for United Brothers, claiming four wickets, while Dattaraj Parab added two more to complete a comfortable win.

With these results, United Brothers moved to the top of the table with eight points from four matches, pushing 18 Juners to second place. Legal Titans remain firmly in contention and are set to face the unbeaten United Brothers next, a clash that could prove decisive in shaping the semifinal line-up of the tournament.

Sports

MCC Thunder Storm into MCL 11 T20 Final After Gritty Win Over MCC Knights

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

MCC Thunder booked their place in the final of the MCL 11 T20 cricket tournament with a hard-fought 14-run victory over MCC Knights in the second qualifier, played at the MCC Ground in Margao. The win sets up an exciting title clash against MCC Tigers, scheduled for Sunday, and capped off a closely contested encounter that kept spectators engaged till the final over.

Batting first, MCC Thunder put up a competitive total of 169 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Om Fadte anchored the innings with a composed knock of 38, while Dr. Rohan Badve contributed a vital 37 and Roshan Naik added a quick 28 to bolster the middle order. The Thunder batters showed intent and resilience, ensuring a challenging target despite disciplined bowling from MCC Knights, with Siddharth Ghanekar emerging as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 25.

In response, MCC Knights mounted a spirited chase and remained in contention for much of the innings, eventually finishing on 155 for 7 in 20 overs. Sairaj Dhond top-scored with 27, while Smit Dalvi’s 26 and Pranav Biche’s 21 kept the scoreboard ticking. However, MCC Thunder’s bowlers maintained pressure at crucial moments, preventing the Knights from gaining momentum in the final overs.

Dr. Rohan Badve delivered an outstanding all-round performance, following up his batting effort with impressive bowling figures of 2 for 21. He received excellent support from Sudhir Shet, who claimed 2 for 15, and Sudesh Rane with 2 for 25, as Thunder’s disciplined attack restricted the scoring and sealed the victory. Paul Fernandes also chipped in with a wicket, conceding 27 runs.

For his impactful contributions with both bat and ball, Dr. Rohan Badve was adjudged Man of the Match, with the award presented by Mandar Parodkar. With this win, MCC Thunder advance confidently into the final of the MCL 11 T20 tournament, promising an exciting showdown against MCC Tigers as the competition reaches its climax.

Sports

Prestige XI March into Manorva Cup 2025 Final with Commanding Semi-Final Win

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Prestige XI stormed into the Final of the Manorva Cup 2025 with a commanding 59-run victory over MWA Mencurem in the semi-final of the 21st Manorva Trophy, the All Goa Panchayat Level Leather Ball T-20 Cricket Tournament, played at the Chapora Ground, Anjuna–Vagator.

Batting first, Prestige XI posted a competitive total of 162 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by a superb knock from Tushar Pednekar, who was later adjudged Man of the Match for his fluent 78 off 44 deliveries. Sahil Warang provided valuable support with a quick 17 runs, helping Prestige XI maintain momentum during the middle and death overs.

In reply, MWA Mencurem struggled to cope with Prestige XI’s disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 103. Sahil Warang starred with the ball, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 wickets for 28 runs in his four overs. The bowling unit applied sustained pressure throughout the innings, never allowing MWA Mencurem to settle in their chase.

Prestige XI secured a place in the Manorva Cup 2025 Final with a commanding all-round performance, set for 4th January 2026 at the same venue. Man of the Match Tushar Pednekar starred in the semi-final of the 21st Manorva Trophy, organised by the Manorva Sports & Cultural Club, Shapora, under the Goa Cricket Association.

The tournament has featured 20 teams from across Goa competing in a knockout format, showcasing competitive leather-ball cricket at the grassroots level. All matches have been hosted at the Chapora Ground, which has witnessed enthusiastic crowds and high-quality cricket throughout the competition.

As the tournament nears its conclusion, the Manorva Trophy continues to reinforce its status as one of Goa’s most competitive and well-organised panchayat-level cricket tournaments, with the final expected to draw significant interest from local cricket fans and supporters.

Sports

Lalit Yadav’s Century, Deepraj Gaonkar’s All-Round Show Power Goa Past Himachal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa registered their second consecutive victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite tournament with a hard-fought 8-run win over Himachal Pradesh at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur. The match showcased a fine blend of composure and aggression, highlighted by Lalit Yadav’s century and captain Deepraj Gaonkar’s impactful all-round display.

Batting first after Himachal Pradesh opted to bowl, Goa found themselves in early trouble as their top order collapsed to 33 for 3 within the first ten overs. Lalit Yadav and Suyash Prabhudesai then steadied the innings with a vital 90-run partnership, bringing calm to the Goa dressing room. Suyash played a responsible knock of 51 off 63 balls, striking five boundaries before falling at a crucial stage.

Goa slipped again after the quick dismissal of Darshan Misal, but skipper Deepraj Gaonkar turned the momentum with a counter-attacking innings. Batting at number seven, he smashed 71 runs off just 48 balls, finding the boundary regularly and lifting the run rate in the latter half of the innings. At the other end, Lalit Yadav anchored the innings with a composed century, scoring 104 off 126 deliveries. A late cameo from Rajashekhar Harikant helped Goa reach a competitive total of 285 for 9.

Chasing 286, Himachal Pradesh began steadily with a 58-run opening stand, but Goa struck back quickly to reduce them to 60 for 3. The dismissal of captain Mridul Suroch soon after left Himachal struggling. Pukhraj Mann then mounted a remarkable fightback, playing a lone hand of 126 off 119 balls, keeping the chase alive with controlled aggression.

Just as Himachal threatened to snatch the game, Deepraj Gaonkar delivered with the ball, dismissing Mann in the 46th over to complete a five-wicket haul. Despite some resistance from the lower order, Himachal Pradesh were bowled out for 277 in 49.3 overs, falling agonisingly short.

The victory underlined Goa’s growing confidence in the tournament, with contributions coming from key players at crucial moments. Goa will next face Sikkim on December 29, aiming to extend their winning streak.

Sports

Blind Goa Cricket Makes History, Finishes 9th at 8th Nagesh Trophy National Tournament

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

A new and inspiring chapter was written in Goa’s sporting history as the Goa Blind Cricket Team secured a place among the top 10 teams in the country at the 8th Nagesh Trophy National Blind Cricket Tournament. Finishing 9th among teams representing over 28 states, the achievement highlighted not only cricketing skill but also extraordinary resilience and self-belief.

The Nagesh Trophy is regarded as the biggest platform for blind cricket in India, and Goa’s journey through the tournament stood out for its consistency and tactical brilliance. The team dominated Group E, registering four emphatic victories. Goa began its campaign with a commanding win over Manipur, bowling them out for 111 and winning by 169 runs, with Nilesh Mirgal named Man of the Match. In the second encounter, Goa posted 233 runs against Railways, with Mirgal scoring a century and helping restrict the opposition to 132. The third match saw Goa defeat Vidarbha after scoring 157 and restricting them to 112, with captain Aftab Patel earning the Man of the Match award. Goa concluded the group stage by defeating Jammu & Kashmir, scoring 170 runs, with Mirgal once again delivering an all-round performance of 87 runs and key wickets.

The team’s success was powered by strong contributions across categories. In the B1 category, captain Aftab Patel led from the front, supported by Kailash Sainath, a key bowler, and Akshay Harsh. The B2 category featured impactful performances from Nilesh Mirgal, a consistent match-winner with both bat and ball, and Chander Dinesh, known for his bowling, fielding and dependable batting. In the B3 category, Jignesh emerged as an important all-rounder, while Arvind and Nilesh N contributed steadily. Young wicketkeeper-batsman Vibhishan impressed on debut, earning his place directly in the Goa national team with his sharp keeping and batting skills.

Behind the scenes, the guidance of Treasurer and Head Coach Yashwant Nageshkar played a crucial role. His confidence in the players and constant encouragement helped shape the team’s mindset and performance. Coach Omkar and Manager Prathamesh also played key roles in ensuring preparation and team cohesion.

Captain Aftab Patel’s leadership stood out throughout the tournament. One of the youngest captains in Indian blind cricket, he took charge at a time of transition after senior players retired and led the team to a historic national ranking. His journey reflects both personal determination and the mentorship he received from the coaching staff.

Blind cricket relies on sound, instinct and trust, and Goa’s team proved that strong intent can overcome physical barriers. With this top-10 finish, the team now looks ahead to future national challenges, with hopes of greater support from the Goa government and sports fraternity. Several players are now aspiring for selection to the Indian National Blind Cricket Team, carrying forward the belief that success is driven not by sight, but by vision.