ARLEM: Mapusa Dream Crushers and Antruz Aviators won their respective outings on the 7th day of Sarsangan Priority Veterans Cricket Series 2025 at Arlem Cricket Ground.
Match 1: Delite Titans vs Mapusa Dream Crushers
Electing to bat first, Delite Titans got off to a sedate start with Ashutosh Angle (10) and Siddesh Desai (37) putting on 48 in 6 overs before Siddesh Bodke (35) got into his groove hitting the bowlers to all parts of the field. However, rest of the batters, Brijesh Naik (11), Shiraj Pai Khot (12 no) and Sachin Neurekar (14) couldn’t convert their start to bigger scores as the Delite Titans could post only 155-4 in 20 overs. The pick of the bowlers was Laxmikant Kurade taking 2-18 while Balkrishna Hodarkar and Sanjiv Sukhtankar picked a wicket each.
In reply, Mapusa Dream Crushers were dealt a big blow as Anant Chodnekar (9) was dismissed by Siddesh Bodke at the score reading 21 in the 3rd over. But that was the only positive news for the Titans as the Dream Crushers batters made merry scoring runs quite easily to reach the target of 156 in 13.4 overs, winning by 9 wickets. Amith Kamat (39), Balkrishna Hodarkar (38), Avinash Kossambe (29 no) and Sanjiv Sukhtankar (25 no) completing the formalities with 38 balls to spare. Siddesh Bodke was the lone successful bowler who got a wicket.
The following individual prizes were awarded: Balkrishna Hodarkar collected Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match, Amith Kamat received Priority Constructions Best Batter and Laxmikant Kurade was awarded Wakao Best Bowler.
Match 2: Antruz Aviators vs Ultracon Madgaon Royals
Electing to bat first, Antruz Aviators posted a formidable 197-7 in 20 overs with their batters doing the talking through Sudin Kamat (38), Sarvesh Kamat (38), Sachin Kenkre (35), Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar (22) and Rasik Pai Khot (19). Rakesh Mallya with 4-19 was the pick of the bowlers and received support from Dr. Sarvesh Kamat, Rajendra Prabhudesai and Narcinva Shanbhag who picked a wicket each.
In reply, Ultracon Madgaon Royals started on a promising note through Pratap Prabhugaonkar (27) and Deep Bhende (16). The Royals were helped by Rajendra Prabhudesai (36) and Sandeep Dalal (35) as they reached 121 in the 13th over.
Rakesh Mallya, who had been given a friendly warning earlier in the series for leaving the popping crease too early before the ball leaves the bowlers hand, was smartly run out at the bowlers end by Rasik Pai Khot for 7, which shifted the momentum.
Two more quick wickets slid the Royals to 157-4 as Ashesh Dukle was brilliantly caught by Santosh Kuncolienkar running outside the 30 yard circle, leaving the Royals to get 41 in 13 balls. Though Dr. Sarvesh Kamat (20 no) and Sudin Karmali (22 no) tried their best, the Royals could manage to reach 190-4 in 20 overs, giving the Antruz Aviators a close 7 run victory. Rasik Pai Khot and Sarvesh Kamat picked a wicket each.
The following individual prizes were awarded: Sarvesh Haridas Kamat collected Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match award, Sudin Kamat was adjudged Priority Constructions Best Batter while Rasik Pai Khot picked Wakao Best Bowler award.
Scorecards, points table👇
https://cricheroes.in/tournament/1154241/SARSANGAN-VETERANS-SERIES-2025
Ultracon Madgaon Royals lead the points table with 10 points followed by Mapusa Dream Crushers on 9 points with both teams playing their last 2 league matches against each other on 20 and 27 April. Antruz Aviators with 8 points will face Delite Titans who have 1 point in their last 2 league matches. The top 2 teams will face off in the Sarsangan Priority Veterans Cricket Finals on 4th May 2025, with Delite Titans out of the reckoning.
