MARGAO
The sixth edition of the Ramakant Verlekar Champions Trophy 2026 turned out to be a one-sided contest, as Panjim Gymkhana Members League (PGML) Kings outclassed Margao Cricket Club (MCL) Superstars to retain their title for the fourth consecutive year under the bright floodlights at the Rajendra Prasad Stadium in Margao on Saturday.
Organised by the Sunita Verlekar Foundation, the annual fixture once again brought together seasoned senior players and promising youngsters, underlining not just competition but also camaraderie between two of Goa’s premier cricketing institutions.
After being put in to bat, MCL Superstars suffered an early collapse. They lost two wickets within the first 14 balls with just 23 runs on the board. The situation worsened when PGML skipper Mukhtar Kadri struck twice in consecutive deliveries, reducing MCL to 23 for 3. By the end of three overs, the scoreboard read a modest 26, and the pressure firmly shifted onto the batting side.
The slide continued as another wicket fell on the very first ball of the fourth over. MCL never truly recovered from the early blows. Poor running between the wickets compounded their troubles, with two unnecessary run-outs extinguishing any hopes of a revival.
MCL skipper Amod Borkar stood out as the lone fighter, scoring a resilient 27 and attempting to anchor the innings. However, lack of support from the other end meant MCL could only cross the 100-run mark in the 18th over, eventually setting a modest target of 112 for PGML Kings.
In response, PGML’s chase began with a minor setback as Siddharth Ghanekar struck in the opening over. Both Ghanekar and Vikrant Prabhu bowled tight lines early on, applying some pressure. The momentum briefly swung when Gaurav Desai was caught at slip by Aditya Angle off Prabhu’s bowling, showcasing sharp reflexes in the field.
However, a crucial missed opportunity proved costly. Angle dropped a tough chance in the slip offered by Avishkar More, which raced away for four. That moment turned out to be the turning point of the match.
Avishkar, along with Abhijit Bhandare, steadied the innings and gradually took control. At the end of five overs, PGML were comfortably placed at 36, with the required rate well within reach. Avishkar then shifted gears in style. The 10th over, bowled by MCL captain Amod Borkar, went for 16 runs, including two towering sixes that effectively sealed the contest.
Avishkar’s fluent 51 off just 26 balls ensured there were no further hiccups, as PGML Kings chased down the target in just 15 overs, sealing a dominant victory.
In the post-match presentation, Sayyed Abdul, treasurer of the Goa Cricket Association, handed over the trophy to the jubilant winners. Avishkar More was named Man of the Match and also bagged the Best Batsman award, while Mukhtar Kadri was adjudged Best Bowler for his impactful spell. Heramb Parab received the Impact Player award, and Aditya Angle was recognised as Best Fielder.
Adding a meaningful touch to the event, the Sunita Verlekar Foundation also awarded a cricketing scholarship to Goa’s young talent Uzma Shaikh, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of cricketers.
