PANAJI
Goa celebrated a hat-trick of victories in the Vijay Hazare Elite Cricket Tournament on Monday, registering a convincing 62-run win over Sikkim on the back of a splendid unbeaten century by Lalit Yadav. Batting first in the 50-over match, Goa posted an imposing total of 309 for 8. In reply, Sikkim could manage only 247 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. The game was played at the KL Saini Stadium in Jaipur. With this win, Goa have climbed to second place in Group `C`with 12 points.
Goa's innings got off to a shaky start, with the top order failing to settle. However, Lalit Yadav held firm at one end and produced a magnificent unbeaten knock of 131. He shaped his century with 14 boundaries, coming off 111 balls. He received valuable support from Suyash Prabhudesai (55), with the duo adding 92 runs for the fourth wicket. In the later stages, Darshan Misal (15), Deepraj Gaonkar (17), Arjun Tendulkar (19), and Rajshekhar Harikant (14) chipped in with useful contributions to take the team total past the 300 mark.
For Sikkim, Gurinder Singh (52 not out), Sai Satwik (50), and A.B. Rajera (50) offered resistance. However, Goa's bowlers struck at crucial intervals to seal the victory. Koushik V. picked up three wickets, while Darshan Misal and Lalit Yadav claimed one wicket each. Arjun Tendulkar also bowled economically.
Goa's next match will be against the formidable Mumbai side on December 31.
BRIEF SCORES
Goa 309 for 8 in 50 overs (Snehal Kauthankar 13, Kashyap Bakhle 23, Abhinav Tejrana 6, Suyash Prabhudesai 55, Lalit Yadav 131 not out, Darshan Misal 15, Deepraj Gaonkar 17, Arjun Tendulkar 19, Rajshekhar Harikant 14, Koushik V. 3 not out, Extras 13; Palzor 2/61, Kranthi Kumar 1/51, Gurinder Singh 2/51, Abishek 1/55, Lee Yong Lepcha 0/46, Ankur 0/16, MD Saptula 1/23) defeated
Sikkim 247 for 7 in 50 overs (Sai Satwik 50, Anvesh 2, A.B. Rajera 50, Ashish Thapa 15, Kranthi Kumar 26, Ankur 11, Gurinder Singh 52 not out, Palzor 28, Lee Yong Lepcha 6 not out, Extras 7; Arjun Tendulkar 0/49, Koushik V. 3/34, Deepraj Gaonkar 0/29, Shubham Dessai 0/25, Darshan Misal 1/61, Lalit Yadav 1/45).
