ARLEM: DNS VMJs Rookies registered a convincing win over 108 Delite Titans by 8 wickets with 11 balls to spare on the 5th day of the 7th edition of Rajdeep Builders Sarsangan Super Series Cricket 2024-25 at Arlem Cricket Ground; while in the second match, Priority Titans won a thrilling contest by 1 run, edging past Vimson Panjim Powerplay in a nail-biting encounter.
Electing to field first, the Rookies dismissed Siddhant Shetye on the very 2nd ball but the Delite captain Viraj Puranik made a quickfire 38 (19 balls, 7 x 4s) and in the company of Sudhir Kenkre (21) put on a 58-run partnership. However the Titans slid to 102-7 with the loss of quick wickets with only Avinash Kossambe making 16. A rear guard action from Raj Prabhudesai (22) and 108 Delite Titans co-owner Ashay Ambe (24) and their 41 runs partnership helped them to post a decent 152 in their allotted 20 overs. Sukrut Pai, Mihir Gaitonde, Sahil Neurenkar and Ved Mahambre picked a wicket each to assist the star performer Rajaram Kundaikar who returned with dream figures of 3-16.
In reply, the Rookies lost Sukrut Pai in the very 1st over but any hopes of more wickets for the Titans were quickly dashed by the partnership between Rajaram Kundaikar 35 (25 balls, 6 x 4s, 1 x 6s) and Eeshan Kamat 40 (28 balls, 4 x 4s, 1 x 6s). Though Shivam Varik departed early making 7, the Rookies romped home as young Goan prodigy Neel Netravalkar (22) and the skipper Ved Mahambre (31) remained unbeaten leading the Rookies to an 8-wicket win with 11 balls to spare, as they made 153/2 in 18.1 overs. Krishnakant Hegde Desai and Somay Naik picked a consolation wicket each.
The following individual prizes were awarded: Rajaram Kundaikar – Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match, Eeshan Kamat – Priority Constructions Best Batter and Sukrut Pai – Wakao Best Bowler. Dr. Ketan Bhatikar, a Social Worker from Ponda was the Chief guest for the inaugural ceremony in the morning.
Scorecard👇
Match 2: Priority Titans vs Vimson Panjim Powerplay
Electing to bat first, Priority Titans got off to a decent start with the openers ex-Ranji vice-captain Sudin Kamat 22 (15 balls, 4 x 4s) and Deval Karmali 21 (26 balls, 3 x 4s) putting on a 50-run partnership in 39 balls. Priority Titans co-owner Swapneel Nachinolkar (17) and Sunil Salgaonkar (14) tried their best but the two young off-spinners Raunak Nargundker and Shardul Kenkre picked 3 wickets each to put the brakes on the Titans scoring as they slumped to 102-7 in the 15th over. Rauji Kakodkar 21 (19 balls, 3 x 4s) and Akshay Dalvi 24 no (15 balls, 4 x 4s) used the long handle to hit some lusty blows to help the Priority titans post a respectable 149/9 in 20 overs. Raunak Nargundker with 3-13 and Shardul Kenkre with 3-21 were the pick of the bowlers and received good support from Siddhant Kunde, Arsh Sardesai and Pranav Kamat who picked a wicket each.
In reply, Powerplay having lost their opener Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar early, tried to build their innings through Sanket Prabhudesai (14) and Pranav Kamat (20) but the loss of their master mind Rasik Pai Khot (9) put them on an even position at 67-4 at the half way mark. A quick 51 runs partnership in 31 balls set the cat amongst the pigeons in the Priority camp as Raunak Nargundker 36 (24 balls, 4 x 4s) and the skipper Arsh Sardesai 28 (19 balls, 3 x 4s, 1 x 6s) rattled the bowlers with an aggressive batting approach.
However the Powerplay team lost 4 wickets for just 2 runs including that of Sandeep Dalal as Amith Kamat got the Priority Titans right back into the match with the score reading 120-8 in 16.3 overs leaving the last pair to score 30 runs in 21 balls.
Cricket as they say is a funny game and saw the last pair of Siddhant Kunde (14 no, 1 x 4s) and Anurag Borker (14, 2 x 4s) took the Powerplay on the verge of a thrilling finish with their 28 runs partnership in 18 balls. Needing 2 runs to win in 3 balls, Anurag Borker’s hesitancy saw him short of the crease in a tragic run out terminating their innings at 148 in 19.4 overs, giving the Priority Titans a 1-run thrilling win and crucial 2 points. Amith Kamat with 3-11 was the pick of the bowlers and received support from Animesh Prabhugaonkar 2-20, Smitesh Divekar 2-23 and Sunil Salgaonkar 1-32.
The following individual prizes were awarded: Amith Kamat – Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match, Raunak Nargundker – Priority Constructions Best Batter and Shardul Kenkre– Wakao Best Bowler.
Scorecard 👇
The 6th day matches on Sunday, 22nd December will see Ultracon Madgaon Royals taking on MLT Cricket Club in the morning match while Priority Titans will face 108 Delite Titans in the afternoon.
