the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa Tuskers made a rousing start to their Goa Corporate League campaign with a narrow three-run win over D Y Patil at Academy ground, Porvorim on Saturday.
Suyash Prabhudesai scored a 41-ball 68 to shape Goa Tuskers’ competitive total of 196/5 after openers Sagun Kamat (31, 18b, 7x4s) and Swapnil Asnodkar (35, 24b, 5x4s) laid the foundation. Saurabh Bandekar (18-ball 22) and Robin D’Souza (an unbeaten 12-ball 19) ended with a flourish to take Goa Tuskers closer to 200.
Subodh Bhati then starred with the ball as he grabbed 5 for 30 to help Tuskers restrict D Y Patil to 193 for 9. Opening bowler Ishwar Pandey (2 for 36) also played his part, while Saurabh Bandekar and spinner Amit Yadav claimed a wicket apiece to defend their total. Bhati was named the Man of the match for his splendid bowling effort.
In the tournament opener earlier in the day, RBI also registered a tight win, beating Air India by four runs.
Air India won the toss and put RBI in to bat. RBI posted a commanding 221/6 with opener Sayan Mondal (90, 51b, 9x4s, 5x6s) top-scoring for the side. Mondal’s opening partner Sumit Gadigaonkar also hit a fifty (51, 32b, 5x4s, 2x6s) as RBI got off to a rollicking start. A quick-fire 19-ball 46 from captain Kumar Deobrat gave RBI the boost to launch past 200.
In the stiff chase, Air India got off to a solid start with openers Manvinder Bisla and Aditya Kaushik taking them to the doorstep of victory. Bisla missed a century by a run as he slammed a 44-ball 99 (12x4s, 5x6s) while Kaushik scored 87 off 57 balls (8x4s, 4x6s) as the duo gave RBI a big fright. However, both batsmen departed with the total in sight and the other batsmen could not rally to reach the target, eventually finishing on 217 for 4.
