the goan I network
PANAJI
After conceding a slender lead to Geno Sports Club, Dempo Cricket Club fared much better in their second dig as the Geno openers replied strongly in the fourth innings with Day 3 promising an outright victory to either team in the finals of the Goa Premier League 2018 played at GCA Academy ground, Porvorim.
Resuming at scores levelled at 146/9, Geno’s last pair of overnight batsman, Manthan Khutkar 47 (89b, 7x4) and in-coming batsman, Sagar Naik 4* raised 19 runs for the last wicket in eight overs to give their side a slender 19-run lead. Dempo’s slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Darshan Misal ended the stubborn tenth-wicket stand to pick up a fifer prising out Khutkar with Geno ending on 165 in 52.5 overs. In the Dempo attack, Darshan Misal stood out with 5/49 with pacerVinay Choudhary playing a good foil with 4/58.
In their second outing at the crease, Dempo put up a vastly improved performance with a clear positive intent to make 334 in 59.2 overs. Coming five places up the order at one-drop, Harshad Gadekar reposed the faith of his team management to flay the Geno attack for a belligerent 115 in only 110 deliveries laced with six boundaries and seven sixes.
Around him, batsmen played their part, with opener/ keeper Aditya Suryavanshi making 40 (75, 3x4, 1x6) and promoted Vinay Choudhary chipping in with 26 (33b, 2x4,1x6). Upon Gadekar’s dismissal at 238/4 in the 43rd over falling to Chirag Khurana, Samarth Vyas took up the cudgels to smash 54 in just 32 deliveries with as many as six hits over the ropes to go with a four. Captain and all-rounder Misal 25 (26b, 2x4) and Achit Shigwan 39 (41b, 3x4) ensured that their side posted a fighting fourth
innings target.
For Geno, part-time bowler Sangram Atitkar who polished off the lower order had the best returns of 4/78.
Set a target of 316 to win with around three-and-a-half sessions left in the match, Geno started positively to return to the pavilion at 62 for no loss in 18 overs at draw of stumps on day 2. Sangram Atitkar was batting on 34 (44b, 5x4) with Prathamesh Gawas on 27 (65b, 4x4). Geno need another 254 runs for an outright win on Tuesday.
