PANAJI
The fifth edition of the Panjim Gymkhana Members League (PGML) will get underway on January 3 at the Bandodkar Cricket Grounds, Panjim Gymkhana, marking the start of over seven weeks of T20 cricket action.
The tournament will open with a brief ceremony at 8.30 am, followed by the inaugural match between Dempo Challengers and Manas Mavericks. Eight teams will compete in PGML 5.0 — Baale Tigers, Manas Mavericks, Dempo Challengers, RC Goa, Priority Titans, DNM Avengers, and debutants Sherwin Shaw Falcons and Sun Estate Warriors.
The league phase will be played across weekends and select weekdays until February 8, with the knockout stage scheduled thereafter. The Qualifier and Eliminator are slated for February 15 and 21, respectively, while the final will be held on February 22.
The auction ahead of the season saw Sun Estate Warriors acquire Harshad Gadekar for 85 lakh points, while Baale Tigers picked Lakshay Garg for 82 lakh points. Several other players were also drafted across franchises to form balanced squads.
Eight trainees from the Panjim Gymkhana Cricket Academy have been selected by teams this season. Among them is 15-year-old Arya Amitkumar Dublay, who has been picked by RC Goa, becoming the only female cricketer to feature in PGML 5.0.
The champions will receive a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, with the runners-up awarded ₹2 lakh. Individual awards will also be presented for performances during the tournament.
