PANAJI
Victories come seldom for Goa in cricket, and a win in Ranji Trophy against a strong side in their own backyard makes the success all the more commendable and sweet to savour.
Away in Thumba, a coastal area in Thiruvananthapuram in the southern State of Kerala, Goa senior men's team produced a memorable seven-wicket win which was lauded by the State's cricket fraternity.
'The Goan' spoke to the system and support staff as also senior team members on what the win in Kerala means to the side.
"It was a big challenge for us to beat them (Kerala) on their home turf. Eventually, our players outplayed them on a turning track. It is not always on conditions, but how you play," Vipul Phadke, Goa Cricket Association (GCA) president, said. "Mohit Redkar (right-arm offbreak) has done extremely well, while Shubham Dessai (right-arm offbreak) has the potential and is a future star. (Opener) Ishaan Gadekar has played really well on debut with a hundred and an unbeaten half-century. I think he was very hungry and Goa gave him the right opportunity. These players are our future stars."
"This team has gelled very well. It has shown that when you perform as a team, then only you can win. I would congratulate the head coach and his support staff who with their experience and motivation to the players played their part."
Goa head coach Mansur Ali Khan singled out debutant opener Gadekar for special praise. "The bowlers did their job and the batsmen handled the pressure well. It did not look like Ishaan was on debut as he batted like an experienced campaigner to see the side through. He had to wait for his chance and took on the responsibility for the team. The captain, Darshan Misal also shouldered the responsibility well, leading from the front," the coach said.
Meanwhile, GCA's director of coaching and cricket operations, Prakash Mayekar pointed out that Goa has emerged as a strong, competitive team this season. "This year, we are playing fantastic cricket. In the T20s, One-dayers and now in the Ranji Trophy; most of the teams do not take us lightly anymore. It (the win against Kerala) is an achievement for us," Mayekar said.
Captain Misal was overjoyed after his first win as Goa skipper in Ranji Trophy. "It was an away game and they (Kerala) prepared a wicket as per their strength. For the entire four days, our boys played well. Our bowlers made sure that the batters had to chase a small target. It was a great victory," Misal said.
Pace spearhead Lakshay Garg lauded the team's overall effort in securing a string of positive results this season. "We have a new bunch that is coming up and that has very good capabilities. It is time we get results. Against Rajasthan, we secured a first-innings lead, we came close to a lead against Jharkhand, and against Karnataka, if we had to bat first the result would have been different. Playing in the fourth innings on a rank turner and winning by seven wickets is a big result," Garg said.
