PANAJI
Ultracon Madgaon Royals triumphed over Mapusa Dream Crushers by 3 wickets, while Desserts N More Avengers edged out SinQ Rangers by 12 runs using the VJD Method on the opening day of the 7th Sarsangan Super Series Cricket 2024-25 at Arlem Cricket ground.
In the first match, the Royals won the toss and opted to bowl, hoping to exploit the damp conditions. Mapusa Dream Crushers got off to a strong start, with Durgesh Prabhugaonkar leading the charge. He smashed 37 runs off just 15 balls, hitting 2 fours and 3 sixes. Partnering with Pankaj Naik, who contributed 10 runs, they put together a solid 44-run partnership in 27 balls. The 14-year-old Adeep Prabhu Miskin continued the momentum with a brisk 40 runs off 35 balls, supported by Paarth Kossambe (21 runs off 16 balls). Anish Mahambrey (14 not out) and Mahesh Churi (11 not out) helped the team set a competitive total of 149/4 in their allotted 17 overs. For the Royals, Siddesh Desai, Shaunit Sawardekar, and Sandesh Bambolkar each took a wicket.
Chasing the target, the Royals faced an early setback, losing Mahendra Audi without scoring. However, skipper Damodar Pai Patnekar anchored the innings with an unbeaten 39 runs off 20 balls, while Saaiel Kossambe added 32 runs off 27 balls. Their partnership of 54 runs off 35 balls was crucial in stabilizing the innings. The middle order, including Megh Netravalkar (29 runs), Prasheel Kamat (11 runs), and Siddesh Desai (19 runs), pushed the team close to victory. With just 6 runs needed from the last 4 balls, team owner Ashesh Pai Dukle scored the winning runs, finishing not out on 7, leading the Royals to a final score of 150/7 in 16.5 overs. Sarvesh Kamat, Kritin Bhangui, Mahesh Churi, and Keshav Bhat each took one wicket for the Dream Crushers.
Individual awards included Damodar Pai Patnekar as Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the-Match, Adeep Prabhu Miskin as Priority Constructions Best Batter, and Shaunit Sawardekar as Wakao Best Bowler.
In the second match, SinQ Rangers opted to bat first but were quickly in trouble against the raw pace of Sankalp Bhat, who took 3 wickets for just 12 runs in 2 overs, dismissing Nilay Naik Dalal (13), Sachin Kenkre (0), and Sairaj Dhond (14). The Rangers managed to recover with captain Sahil Adwalpalkar scoring 33 runs off 36 balls, alongside Smit Dalvi who contributed 28 runs off 29 balls, forming a crucial 62-run partnership. Gaurav Gaitonde (16 runs) and young hopeful Samprabh Phaldesai (26 not out off 13 balls) helped the team reach a total of 143/7 in their 20 overs. For the Avengers, Sankalp Bhat (3-12), Vaibhav Kadkade (2-18), and Siddhesh Prabhu Alvenkar (1-23) were the standout bowlers.
In reply, the Dessert N More Avengers had a shaky start, losing both openers quickly. However, Aditya Dalal (20 runs off 11 balls) and Sarin Pai Kane (36 runs off 31 balls) steadied the innings. A late collapse saw the Rangers fight back, but valuable contributions from Vaibhav Kadkade (13 runs), Akhil Nadkarni (19 runs), and captain Siddhesh Prabhu Alvenkar (14 not out) ensured they reached 132/6 before bad light ended the match. With the revised target set at 120 runs after 17 overs, the Avengers were declared the winners by 12 runs under the VJD method.
Awards for the second match included Sankalp Bhat as Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the-Match, Sarin Pai Kane as Priority Constructions Best Batter, and Samprabh Phaldesai as Wakao Best Bowler.
