CANACONA
Palolem Warriors, Mallikarjun Gaondongrim, and Young Marathas registered emphatic victories in their respective league matches of the 1st Chetan Manju Desai Leatherball T-20 Cricket Tournament at GCA ground, Mashem, Canacona.
In the first match, Patnem Colomb Avengers batted first and managed 78/7 in 20 overs, with Sairaj Naik top-scoring with 26 runs. Palolem Warriors’ bowlers Gautamesh Pagi (3/25) and Sameer Pagi (2/6, including two maidens in 4 overs) starred with the ball. In reply, Palolem Warriors chased down the target in just 10.5 overs, losing 2 wickets, thanks to Vikrant Pagi’s 40 and Sweekar Pagi’s 32, securing an 8-wicket win.
Mallikarjun Gaondongrim dominated the second match, bowling out Shivneri Strikers for 77 in 17.7 overs. In pursuit, they reached 80/5 to record a five-wicket victory. Key contributions came from Abhishek Kankonkar (31) and Sanket Gaonkar (24), while Piyush Devdidas (4/10), Sandesh Velip (3/17), and Chandrashekar Gaonkar (1/15) starred with the ball.
In the final encounter, Young Marathas crushed Arya Strikers by 20 wickets. Arya Strikers were restricted to 52 all out in 16 overs, with Ajink Desai top-scoring with 28. Young Marathas completed the chase in just 5.4 overs without losing a wicket, powered by Saiesh Naik Gaonkar (31) and Naresh Naik (19). Player of the Match Uday Shet Desai impressed with 4 wickets for 8 runs, supported by Vishwajeet Shet Desai (3/27) and Akshay Bhandari (2/12).
