Margao: Salcete Stallions prevailed over Mapusa Dream Crushers by 52 runs to reign supreme in the Estilo Moderno Realty Sarsangan Super Series cricket championship.
Electing to bat first in the final at MCC ground, Salcete Stallions got off to a blazing start with the in-form Durgesh Prabhugaonkar 53 not out (20 balls; 6×4, 4×6) hitting his sixth half-century of the EMR Super Series. He along with Sarvesh Prabhugaonkar 46 (32 balls; 2×4, 3×6) put on 63 runs in just 4 overs to put Salcete Stallions in a commanding position.
However, the introduction of the veteran spinner Mahesh Churi immediately put brakes on the Stallions’ scoring rate with Mahesh dismissing Sarvesh for 46 and Vardhan for 10. Sandeep Dalal 24 (19 balls; 1×4, 1×6) and Sanat Prabhudesai 15 (12 balls; 1×4) consolidated the innings before their captain Sahish Mahambrey 26 (9 balls; 1×4, 2×6) gave the innings the much-needed momentum to help Stallions finish at a huge total of 199/6 in 20 overs.
Mapusa Dream Crushers bowlers Mahesh Churi (2-21), Kaushal Churi (1-20), Rajaram Kundaikar (1-27) and Mehank Dharwadkar (1-33) were amongst the wickets.
Chasing 200 to win, Mapusa Dream Crushers got off to a disastrous start, losing their captain Yash Prabhugaonkar to Durgesh on the very first ball, but recovered thanks to a 34-run partnership in 22 balls for the second-wicket between Mehank Dharwadkar 15 and Kaushal Churi 18.
Venktesh Prabhu Verlekar 26 (14 balls; 4×4, 1×6) and Rajaram Kundaikar 25 (25 balls, 1×6) tried their best to up the ante, but lost their wickets going for quick runs. With the required run-rate nearing 12 runs-per-over, Mapusa Dream Crushers lost wickets in a heap and fell short in the end by 52 runs.
Saish Hegde (15 not out) and Sanjay Netravalkar (14 not out) were not able to match the steeply climbing run-rate, as Mapusa Dream Crushers finished at 147/8.
Salcete Stallions’ bowlers – Sudesh Prabhudesai (2-12), Balkrishna Hodarkar (2-24), Durgesh Prabhugaonkar (2-25), Dr. Prasad Ghode (1-17) and Sandeep Dalal (1-24) tasted success with the ball.
Durgesh Prabhugaonkar was awarded EMR Man of the Finals trophy. Following individual prizes were also awarded: Player of the Super Series: Durgesh Prabhugaonkar; Junior player of the Super Series: Vardhan Misquin; Best batter of the Super Series: Kaushal Churi; Best bowler of the Super Series: Aditya Dalal; Best wicket-keeper of the Super Series: Sahish Mahambrey; Best fielder of the Super Series: Arnav Phaldesai; Veteran player of the Super Series: Sandeep Dalal; Junior batter of the Super Series: Sanat Prabhudessai; Junior bowler of the Super Series: Animesh Prabhugaonkar; Emerging player of the Super Series: Anish Prabhu Mahambrey; Best innings in a losing cause during the Super Series: Avinash Kossambe; Best Spell in a losing cause during the Super Series: Mahesh Churi; Spirit of Cricket award: Dr. Prasad Ghode and Viraj Dhond.
Dr. Sagar Salgaocar, Chirag Naik, Narayan Prabhugaonkar, Nitin Pai, Yogesh Naik, Jaiprakash Kunde, Rajesh Colvalcar, Ranjita Pai, Dr. Babita Prabhugaonkar, Sairaj Dhond and Pradeep Mahambrey, graced the prize distribution function. Earlier, Pravin Kakode was the guest at the toss for the final. Anil Kamat welcomed, Gomakant Mahambrey compered while Santosh Kamat proposed the vote of thanks.