Defeat Priority Titans by five wickets in commanding final
PANAJI
RC Goa emerged champions of the Panjim Gymkhana-organised ‘PGML 5.0’ cricket tournament after defeating Priority Titans by five wickets in a dominant final played at the Bandodkar Ground, Campal-Panaji.
Chasing a target of 157, RC Goa completed the run chase with 27 deliveries to spare. The champions were awarded ₹3 lakh and the trophy, while the runners-up received ₹2 lakh along with the trophy.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Priority Titans were bowled out for 156 in 19.3 overs. The Titans looked in control at 102 for 1 at one stage but suffered a middle-order collapse, slipping to 114 for 5. Rijul Pathak (37) and Atharva (37) built a solid foundation, while young opener Adeep Misquin added a quick 26. However, the lower order failed to capitalise as the innings ended before the allotted 20 overs.
For RC Goa, Nakul Mhamal was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 23 in his four overs. Dattesh Priolkar claimed two wickets, while Aryan Mashelkar, Gauresh Khandepakar and Vardhan Prabhu Misquin also chipped in with two wickets each to contain the opposition.
In reply, RC Goa got off to a flying start, with Venkatesh Verlekar striking 29 off just 13 balls. Sachin Sardesai steadied the innings with a composed 40. Vardhan Prabhu Misquin (38) and skipper Rajshekhar Harikant (unbeaten 24) then ensured there were no further hiccups. Harikant fittingly sealed the victory in style, smashing three consecutive sixes to finish the match.
For Priority Titans, Heramb Shankar Parab, Vivek Karapurkar and Dinesh Pai took one wicket each.
At the presentation ceremony, PWD Minister and Chief Guest Digambar Kamat congratulated the winners and observed that a different team has lifted the title each year, underlining the competitive nature of the league. Former South Africa international and Special Guest Jonty Rhodes emphasised the importance of teamwork in cricket and lauded the organisers for the successful conduct of the tournament. Panaji Gymkhana president Manoj Caculo and secretary Rajesh Khaunte were also present on the occasion.
Individual Awards:
Player of the Match: Nakul Mhamal
Best Fielder: Adeep Misquin
Best Bowler: Ramnath Gaonkar
Best Batter: Heramb Shankar Parab
Player of the Tournament: Ramnath Gaonkar
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Brief Scorecard
Priority Titans – 156 all out in 19.3 overs (Atharva 37, Rijul Pathak 37, Adeep Prabhu Misquin 26, Robin D’Souza 19, Extras 4; Nakul Mhamal 3/23, Dattesh Priolkar 2/24, Aryan Mashelkar 1/32, Gauresh Khandepakar 1/18, Vardhan Prabhu Misquin 1/17) Lost to RC Goa – 162/5 in 15.3 overs
(Sachin Sardesai 40, Vardhan Prabhu Misquin 38, Venkatesh Verlekar 29, Rajshekhar Harikant unbeaten 24, Extras 16; Vivek Karapurkar 1/32, Heramb Shankar Parab 1/27, Dinesh Pai 1/44)
