Geno Sports Club players pose along with dignitaries at Panjim Gymkhana.
Photo Credits: The Goan
PANAJI
In a nail-biting finale under the lights at Panjim Gymkhana, Desserts N’More Geno Sports Club held their nerve to claim a thrilling 5-run win over Chowgule Global and lift the prestigious Bandodkar League T20 title on Thursday.
In a match that saw momentum swing wildly between two evenly-matched sides, Desserts N’More Geno SC posted a competitive 173/6 after being put into bat. Captain Deepraj Gaonkar led from the front with a brisk 43 off 25 balls (8x4), while Lalit Yadav’s unbeaten 47 off 30 balls (3x4, 2x6) anchored the innings. Ruthvik Naik added vital late runs with an unbeaten 22 off 13, sharing a 47-run stand with Yadav that ultimately proved decisive.
In response, Chowgule Global were off to a flyer, racing to 80/2 in just 8 overs, powered by Shivendra Bhujbal’s explosive 52 off 22 balls (5x4, 4x6). However, the tide turned dramatically when pacer Samit Aryan Mishra dismissed Bhujbal and Harvik Desai in the same over, before claiming the key wicket of Chirag Jani soon after. Mishra’s 3/26 spell derailed the chase and earned him the Player of the Match honours.
Chowgule Global’s captain Darshan Misal (32 off 28) and big-hitter Tunish Sawkar (25 off 16) kept their side in contention with a 40-run partnership, but once Sawkar was caught in the deep, the chase lost momentum. The side eventually finished at 168/8, falling just short of the target.
Shivendra was adjudged Player of the Tournament and Best Batter, while Shubham Tari, who impressed again with 3/25, was named Best Bowler of the tournament.
The final was graced by Sameer Kakodkar, Director of DB Bandodkar Group, along with Panjim Gymkhana President Manoj Caculo and Secretary Rajesh Khaunte. Desserts N’More Geno SC received the championship trophy and a cash prize of Rs 75,000, while runners-up Chowgule Global were awarded Rs 40,000 and a trophy.
