PANAJI
Caculo Goans and Salcete Stallions registered victories in the opening day's double-header of the Sarsangan Commonwealth Developers +50 Veterans Cricket Series 2026, which commenced at Arlem Cricket Ground with a formal inauguration on Sunday.
In the opening match, Caculo Goans defeated Madgaon Royals by 27 runs. Batting first, Caculo Goans posted 157/8 in 20 overs, with Anant Chodnekar (39), Suraj Caculo (38 not out) and Avinash Kossambe (32) making valuable contributions.
Rakesh Mallya (3/17) and Sudin Karmali (3/17) were the pick of the bowlers for Madgaon Royals.
In reply, Madgaon Royals were restricted to 130 despite contributions from Girish Bene (30) and Ashesh Dukle (21). Mahesh Churi (3/8) and Avinash Kossambe (3/11) led the Caculo Goans bowling attack.
Avinash Kossambe was adjudged Drogaria Colvalcar Man of the Match. Anant Chodnekar won the Priority Constructions Best Batter award, Sudin Karmali the Deccan Fine Chemicals Best Bowler award, Mahesh Churi the Commonwealth Developers Impact Player award and Suraj Caculo the Wakao Super Striker award.
In the second match, Salcete Stallions defeated Mapusa Dream Crushers by 11 runs under the DLS method.
Mapusa Dream Crushers scored 161/8 in 20 overs, with Dr Sagar Salgaocar contributing 36 and team owner Rajesh Colvalcar adding 25.
Chasing 162, Salcete Stallions reached 132/3 in 16 overs against a revised DLS target of 121 to seal victory. Sandeep Thali anchored the chase with an impressive 50 off 37 balls, while Viraj Padiyar (15), Sachin Kenkre (13 not out) and Amith Kamat (10 not out) provided support.
Sandeep Thali was declared Drogaria Colvalcar Man of the Match.
Earlier, the team jerseys were unveiled during the formal inauguration by businessman and social worker Chirag Datta Naik, representing title partners Commonwealth Developers Pvt Ltd, in the presence of Dr Sagar Salgaocar, representing apparel partners Desserts n More.
The ceremony was attended by Jaiprakash Kunde, Suraj Caculo, Ashesh Pai Dukle, Adv Satish Pilgaonkar and Santosh Kamat. Engr Sanjiv Prabhu welcomed the gathering, while Gomakant Mahambrey proposed the vote of thanks.
The tournament is organised by Saraswat Sports Sangh, with Commonwealth Developers as title partners, Desserts n More as apparel partners and Drogaria Colvalcar as hydration partner.
