PORVORIM: GCA Yellow and GCA Green registered victories in closely contested matches played on Saturday in the Goa Cricket Association-organised ‘Queen Cup Women’s T20 Trophy 2025-26’. The first match of the day went right down to a thrilling Super Over, while in the second match, GCA Green defeated Red with an impressive all-round performance. All league-stage matches of the tournament were played at the NAPEX ground in Sankhali.
After the completion of the league stage of the four-team tournament, GCA Yellow secured a place in the final with three consecutive victories. GCA Green, with two wins, also confirmed its berth in the title clash. The final match under floodlights will be played on May 12 at the GCA ground in Sanguem-Cotarli.
The match between GCA Blue and GCA Yellow turned out to be highly competitive. Batting first, GCA Blue scored 118 for 7 in 20 overs. Captain Purvaja Verlekar contributed 42 runs, while Arya Parab added 15. For Yellow, Savali Kolambkar bowled brilliantly and picked up three wickets.
In reply, GCA Yellow also managed 118 for 7 in 20 overs. Nidhi Shambhawani played a fighting unbeaten knock of 53 runs for Yellow. As the match ended in a tie, a Super Over was played. In the Super Over, GCA Yellow scored 18 runs, while Blue could manage only 16 runs.
In the second match of the day, GCA Green defeated GCA Red by 26 runs. Batting first, GCA Green piled up a huge total of 162 for 3 in 20 overs. Captain Poorva Bhaidkar smashed a quickfire 54 off just 32 balls, including seven boundaries and one six. She received good support from Tanisha Gaikwad (42) and Divya Naik (unbeaten 31).
Chasing a target of 163 runs, GCA Red could reach only 136 for 6 in 20 overs. Shreya Parab scored 25, while Tanisha Gaikwad contributed 42 runs, but the other batters failed to make an impact. For GCA Green, Pooja Kalel played a key role in the victory with figures of 3 wickets for 30 runs.
Brief Scores
GCA Blue – 118/7 in 20 overs (Purvaja Verlekar 42, Arya Parab 15, Athashree Shivarkar 14, Extras 20; Savali Kolambkar 3/19, Aradhana Saroj 2/18) tied with GCA Yellow – 118/7 in 20 overs (Nidhi Shambhwani unbeaten 53, Sanchita Sail 21, Tejashwini Duragad 14, Extras 15; Purvaja Verlekar 2/18, Athashree Shivarkar 2/21, Kimaya Desai 1/16, Pooja Yadav 1/17).
Super Over: GCA Yellow – 18/0 in 1 over (Diksha Amonkar retired hurt 0, Vinavi Gurav unbeaten 0, Tejashwini Duragad unbeaten 18; Pooja Yadav 0/18) beat GCA Blue – 16/0 in 1 over (Purvaja Verlekar unbeaten 16, Athashree Shivarkar unbeaten 0; Tejashwini Duragad 0/16).
GCA Green – 162/3 in 20 overs (Poorva Bhaidkar 54, Divya Naik unbeaten 31, Krupa Patel 28, Palak Arondekar 27, Extras 15; Shreya Parab 1/24, Bharati Sawanth 1/31, Nirmiti Khanvilkar 1/31) beat GCA Red – 136/6 in 20 overs (Tanisha Gaikwad 42, Shreya Parab 25, Sayani Raut Desai 19, Nidhi Govekar unbeaten 15, Extras 8; Pooja Kalel 3/30, Harshada Kadam 2/30, Riya Naik 1/20).