PANAJI: RC Goa and Desserts N’More Avengers inched closer to the Playoff spots with comfortable victory in their respective matches in the ongoing PGML 4.0 at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Saturday.
Desserts N’More Avengers beat Baale Tigers by 6 wickets in the first match of the day. RC Goa inflicted a 26-run defeat onto Manas Mavericks in the other match.
The results meant that RC Goa and Desserts N’More Avengers occupy second and third place in the points table respectively with 6 points each to their credit. On the other hand, Baale Tigers are now out of reckoning with their fourth successive defeat in as many matches. Defending champions Manas Mavericks suffered their third loss and are stuck outside the Playoff positions with only 2 points from four matches.
Put into bat Baale Tigers were all out for 127 runs with a quickfire 33 off 16 balls from Rajaram Kundaikar, being the top-score of their inning. Desserts N’More Avengers hardly faced a challenge in the run-chase as they coasted to 131/4 in 15.2 overs. Captain Rajshekhar Harikant (33 not out off 17 balls, & 2/24) delivered another ‘Grant Thornton’ Man-of-the Match performance. Saandip Dahaad (33) and Vikas Shetty (27) also played important knocks.
In the second match, RC Goa elected to bat first and put up a total of 148/8. The Men in Orange looked largely in control of the proceedings with the bat as Aryan Mashelkar scored 36 runs, Ramnath Gaonkar 35 and Swayam Naik made 29 runs.
Manas Mavericks, however, failed to put up a challenge and were restricted to 122/9 in reply. Vardhan Haldankar (35), Heramb Parab (18) and Ajinkya Kudtarkar (14) were the main run-getters. All-rounder Aryan Mashelkar, who took 2/20, was named the ‘Grant Thornton’ Man-of-the Match.
Manas Mavericks presented Vidhi Bhandare the debut opportunity today and the Goa U-19 player put up a confident show in the historic outing as she became the first woman player of the league in the four-year history of PGML.
The leg-spinner picked up a wicket of her very first delivery and bowled well with her 3 overs letting 17 runs. In an exhibition of perfect judgement in the field, Vidhi took an amazing catch to help her team restrict the opposition. She batted at No 11 and remained not out on 1 off 1 ball.
Pravin Zantye and Adv. Yogesh Nadkarni were the chief guests for the respective presentation ceremonies.
Brief Scores:
Baale Tigers 127 in 18 overs (Rajaram Kundaikar 33, Harsh Jethaji 29, Harshad Gadekar 24; Rajshekhar Harikant 2/24); Desserts N’More Avengers 131/4 in 15.2 overs (Rajshekhar Harikant 33 not out, Sandip Dahaad 33, Vikas Shetty 27; Amey Dongrikar 2/16). Desserts N’More Avengers win by 6 wickets.
RC Goa 148/8 (Aryan Mashelkar 36, Ramnath Gaonkar 35, Swayam Naik 29; Vikram Chodankar 1/5); Manas Mavericks 122/9 (Vardhan Haldankar 35, Heramb Parab 18, Ajinkya Kudtarkar 14; Aryan Mashelkar 2/20). Rc Goa win by 26 runs.
