ARLEM: Mapusa Dream Crushers vs Delite Titans match ended in a dramatic tie, while Antruz Aviators beat Ultracon Madgaon Royals on opening day of Sarsangan Priority Veterans Cricket Series 2025 at Arlem Cricket Ground.
Match 1: Delite Titans vs Mapusa Dream Crushers
Electing to bat first, though losing Mahendra Kudchadkar early, Delite Titans recovered through Sandip Thali (35), Sachin Neurekar (19) and skipper Shiraj Pai Khot (20) to reach 79-2 in the 13th over. The innings got the much needed impetus from Siddhesh Bodke who made a quickfire 35 (13 balls, 4x4s, 1x6s) and Paresh Prabhudesai who blasted 38 (13 balls, 2x4s, 4x6s). The Delite Titans finished at a mammoth 175-3 in 20 overs with the last 7 overs yielding 96 runs. Balkrishna Hodarkar with 2-14 and Sanjiv Sukhtankar with 1-16 were the notable performers in the bowling department.
In reply, Mapusa Dream Crushers raced to 67-2 in the 10th over with Nilesh Prabhudesai making 38, Balkrishna Hodarkar making 21 and Rupesh Kossambe contributing 28. Though Mahesh Kudchadkar fell without troubling the scorers, Amith Kamat 35 (20 balls, 5x4s) and the skipper Laxmikant Kurade 27 no (15 balls, 1x4s, 3x6s) took the Dream Crushers to 154-3 in 19 overs. Needing 22 off the last over bowled by Shiraj Pai Khot, the Dream Crushers scored 20 runs off the 1st 5 deliveries with Shailesh Mahajan making 13 no. Needing 2 runs off the last delivery, Laxmikant Kurade managed to somehow take a single, with the decision referred to the 3rd umpire, to check if he had made it past the popping crease. With a single scored off the last ball, the match ended in dramatic tie with the Dream Crushers also making an identical 175-3 in 20 overs. Sandip Thali with 2-23 was the lone successful bowler.
The following individual prizes were awarded: Sandip Thali collected Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match award, Paresh Prabhudesai was adjudged Priority Constructions Best Batter award while Sanjiv Sukhtankar picked Wakao Best Bowler award.
Match 2: Antruz Aviators vs Ultracon Madgaon Royals
Electing to bat first, Antruz Aviators making their debut in Sarsangan, put up a commanding 170-2 in 20 overs, thanks to Prasad Bhende (20), Sarvesh Kamat (35 in 19 balls), Sachin Kenkre (35 in 29 balls), ex Ranji wk Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar (37 in 29 balls), Rasik Pai Khot (21 no) and Sandeep Phaldesai (13). Yatin Kaisare with 1-14 was the lone successful bowler.
In reply, Ultracon Madgaon Royals, lost their skipper Vishwesh Kamat (8) castled by Jaiprakash Kunde and with Manoj Dukle (5) also dismissed, Royals slumped to 59-2 in the 9th over. Rajendra Prabhudesai (26) and Rakesh Mallya (35) tried their best. However, the Aviators spinners, Prasad Bhende and Gomakant Mahambrey, both chipped in with 2 wickets each to put the brakes on the scoring as the Royals slid to 93-5 in 12 overs.
Samrudh Hegde Desai (19), Dr. Sarvesh Kamat (10), Mahesh Churi (11 no) tried their best but the Royals could manage 156-8 in their 20 overs, giving the Aviators a 14 run victory. Gomakant Mahambrey and Prasad Bhende picked 2 wickets each while Balkrishna Kamat, Rasik Pai Khot, Jaiprakash Kunde and Sarvesh Kamat picked a wicket each.
The following individual prizes were awarded: Prasad Bhende collected Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match, Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar received Priority Constructions Best Batter and Gomakant Mahambrey was awarded Wakao Best Bowler.
Earlier in the day, Architect Bhaskar Khandeparkar, who was the chief guest, inaugurated the Sarsangan Priority Veterans Cricket Series in the presence of Kapil Nayak, Police Inspector of Vasco Police Station and Shivsharma Hegde, ex Chief Engineer of MPT which was graced by Adv. Satish Pilgaonkar, Engr. Sanjiv Prabhu, Nagnath Shanbhag, Gomakant Mahambrey, Rajesh Colvalcar and Vallabh Pai.
