the goan I network
PANAJI
GMR Group kept their semi-finals hopes alive after defeating Goa Tuskers by five wickets in a high-scoring Group B match of the Goa Corporate League 2018 at GCA Academy Ground, Porvorim
on Tuesday.
Electing to bat, the Arvind Reddy-owned Goa Tuskers outfit posted a solid 190/7. Despite losing seasoned campaigners Sagun Kamat (4) and Swapnil Asnodkar (6) with only 19 on board inside three overs, the young middle-order shored up well. Looking to continue from where he left off on Saturday against DY Patil (68*), promising batsman Suyash Prabhudesai struck a magnificent 88 (56b, 13x4, 1x6). He forged important partnerships with all-rounder Darshan Misal (13) and wicket-keeper Keenan Vaz (22) for the third and fourth wickets which yielded 51 and 76 runs respectively.
Serlly Shourya’s double strike in the 17th over dismissing Vaz and Prabhudesai proved crucial to restrict the home side threatening to cut loose big time. Saurabh Bandekar used the long handle to good effect to make a 13-ball unbeaten 22 to help his side to a competitive score on a batting beauty.
For GMR Group, Serlly Shourya stood out with his medium-pace with returns of 2/24 from his quota. Fellow pacer, Simarjeet went for aplenty but picked up three wickets.
In reply, GMR Group was in early trouble. They were reduced to 37/3 in five overs and required a special effort to stay in contention for a semis spot. One-drop Anuj Rawat found an able ally in Gurkeerat Singh to form a rollicking 92-run fourth wicket stand in 53 balls. With Gurkeerat’s dismissal for a whirlwind 51 (27b, 1x4, 6x6), Rawat stuck his ground. In Himmat Singh, Rawat found a partner going berserk to bring the target reachable. Rawat was eventually the fifth out on a well-made 51 (41b, 3x4, 26) at the score 179 at the start of the 19th over. Himmat stayed unbeaten on 46 in a mere 18 balls with three boundaries and four maximums with Abhishek Sharma on a 4-ball 9 when the target was surpassed with five balls to spare.
For Goa Tuskers, right-arm off-break Amit Yadav was the lone bowler to withstand the onslaught of the Delhi-based outfit with impressive returns of 1/26 in his quota.
Gurkeerat Singh and Himmat Singh (GMR Group) were later jointly adjudged as Men of the Match.
In an earlier Group B fixture, ONGC beat DY Patil by four wickets in a thrilling match. Late order show dominated both teams batting display. 18-year-old Mayank Rawat who shone for ONGC with a quick-fire unconquered 51 (31b, 3x4, 3x6) was later adjudged Man of the Match.
TODAY’S MATCHES
Group A: RBI v IOC, 2 pm; Reliance One v Air India, 6 pm
