PANAJI: Geno Sports Club scored a thrilling three-wicket victory over Salgaocar Cricket Club to clinch the Bandodkar League T20 title at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Monday.
Geno, the defending champions, played good cricket all-round in the high-voltage finale between the two unbeaten teams in the Bandodkar League T20 Tournament organised by Panjim Gymkhana.
Young opener Veer Yadav was the star of the show as he blasted 89 runs off 41 balls. His sensational array of strokes witnessed six sixes and eight boundaries to firmly keep Geno in the hunt, even as wickets fell at the other end in the chase of the mammoth victory target of 218. He was involved in the crucial partnership of 83 runs off 40 balls with Kaushal Hattangadi (33 off 19 balls; 2×4, 2×6) for the fourth wicket.
Nihal Surlakar (33 not out) provided the final flourish with a straight sixer off Ruthvik Naik (3/52) when 4 runs were required off the last 2 balls before his ecstatic team-mates raced on to the pitch to shower their adulation on the consistent performer.
While Salgaocar took wickets at critical junctures to stay into the contest despite some simple chances being dropped; Geno held their nerve with a vital partnership of 43 runs in 28 balls for the 7th wicket between Samar Dubhashi (24 off 23 balls) and Nihal, who led the onslaught to keep up with the required run-rate with three sixes and one boundary in his match-winning knock of 15 balls.
Earlier, put into bat Salgaocar CC posted a huge total of 217/6 with Shantanu Nevagi (68 off 43 balls; 6×4, 3×6), Piyush Yadav (57 off 34balls; 3×4, 5×6) and Ayush Verlekar (48 not out in 15 balls; 3×4, 4×6) being the main-run getters. Geno’s Vikas Singh and Pundalik Naik picked up two wickets each.
Late Bhausaheb Bandodkar’s grandson and sponsors – DB Bandodkar & Sons, Director Sameer Kakodkar was the chief guest for the prize distribution ceremony. Yogesh Vengurlekar, also a grandson of Goa’s first Chief Minister; Chairman of Geno Pharmaceuticals, Dilip Salgaocar; Secretary of Panjim Gymkhana, Rajesh Khaunte and members of PG managing committee were also present.
Winners, Geno Sports Club were awarded Rs 75,000 while runners-up Salgaocar Cricket Club were presented Rs 40,000 along with trophies.
Following individual prizes were awarded:
Player of the Final: Veer Yadav, Best Batsman: Shantanu Nevagi, Best Bowler: Pundalik Naik, Man of the tournament: Yogesh Kauthankar.
