PORVORIM: Celeste Superwomen brushed off the challenge by Manas Panjim Gymkhana with a one-sided 64-run victory and entered the final of the inaugural Goa Women’s Premier League at GCA Academy ground here on Saturday night. The Superwomen will take on MCC Estilo Legends in the floodlit title clash on Sunday evening.
Chasing the target of 157 in the Eliminator, Manas Panjim Gymkhana put up a meek display with the bat with Resha Korgaonkar (25 off 27 balls) being the top-scorer. Along with Mukta Magre (19), Resha put on 33 runs for the first wicket in 5.4 overs. That proved to be Manas Panjim Gymkhana’s highest partnership of the innings as none of the batters that followed were able to stitch a decent stand in order to make a contest out of it.
A lot was expected from Manas Panjim Gymkhana skipper, Shikha Pandey with the bat especially after her stunning 27 not out in a last-wicket charge for Delhi Capitals in the Tata WPL final recently. However, the experienced International cricketer failed to make the most of a simple dropped catch lifeline, and perished for 16 runs off 13 balls (2×4, 1×6) caught in the deep by Bharti Gaonkar off the bowling of fiercely competitive Sayali Lonkar (2/12). Poorva Bhaidkar picked up three wickets while Charlotte Dourado took 2 wickets as Manas Panjim Gymkhana were bowled out for 92 runs in 19 overs.
Earlier, Celeste Superwomen won the toss and elected to bat. A fantastic start by player of the match Jasia Akhtar and captain Vinavi Gurav took the Superwomen total to 100 runs in 10.2 overs.
Jasia played in her trademark aggressive fashion while Vinavi was once again brilliant in rotating the strike. The blistering way the opening duo went about their business, Superwomen seemed heading to a huge total in the virtual semi-final. Jasia played shots all around the park with six boundaries and three sixes lighting up her knock of 59 runs off 39 balls, that took her tournament aggregate to 318 runs. The J&K batter leads the race to win the best batter prize by a huge margin.
Even as the Manas Panjim Gymkhana bowlers failed to make an impression, a brilliant contribution from the field broke the rampaging partnership in the 12th over. All-rounder Poonam Khemnar scored a direct hit from the covers region to run out Vinavi, who scored 36 runs off 34 balls (3×4). Jasia followed her back to the pavilion soon as she was caught by Urvashi Govekar positioned at short fine leg off Poonam Khemnar’s bowling, thus changing the complexion of the Celeste Superwomen innings.
From being 108 for no loss, the Superwomen were 110/2 with both the openers gone. Manas Panjim Gymkhana, captained by India bowler Shikha Pandey tightened the screws onto their opponents as the runs dried up with two new batters Poorva Bhaidkar (8 off 10 balls) and Preeti Yadav (7 off 16 balls) struggled to play the big shots. Towards the fag end of the innings, Sayali Lonkar with 20 off 14 balls and Bharti Gaonkar 10 not out off 6 balls, got a move on to take their team beyond 150-run mark with a partnership of 23 runs off 14 balls.
Sarvesh Naik, Director of women’s cricket, GCA, presented the player of the match award.