Team Herald
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PANJIM: Commonwealth Fountainheads got the better of Vimson Panjim Powerplay by 4 wickets and MLT Cricket Club edged past Desserts n More Avengers by 8 runs in a nail biting encounter of the 7th edition of Sarsangan Super Series Cricket 2024-25 played at Arlem cricket ground.
Put into bat,Vimson Panjim Powerplay got off to a good start through Pranav Kamat 20 and Prasad Bhende 18, who put on 31 for the opening wicket. The middle order did their bit with contributions from Vrushabh Kuncolienkar 13, Rasik Pai Khot 22 and Raunak Nargundkar 15. The highlight of the innings came from the Powerplay skipper Arsh Sardesai who did his reputation no harm as he smacked 40 in just 22 balls, helping his team post a decent 141/8 in 20 overs.
For the Commonwealth Fountainheads, making their debut in Sarsangan, Gaurav Borkar with figures of 2-10 in 3 overs was the standout performance. Captain Yash Prabhugaonkar picked 2-27, while Amey Rajadhyax, Saish Hegde, Pratap Prabhugaonkar and Raghuvir Gharse did their bit with a wicket each.
In reply, the Fountainheads lost two early wickets of Visvesh Caro, who made 10 and Gaurish Shenvi Lotlikar making 12, with the score reading 34-2 in the fifth over. A 52-run partnership in 46 balls between Aditya Prabhugaonkar 35 and Saish Hegde 28 took them to a comfortable position. But just when the Fountainheads looked like taking the match away, they lost three batters in a space of 14 runs including their skipper Yash Prabhugaonkar for 5 as they slipped to 100-4 in 13.3 overs, needing 42 in 39 balls. However, Kedar Kamat with an unbeaten 14 took them home with three balls to spare as they reached 142/6 in 19.3 overs.
Arsh Sardesai and Pranav Kamat bagged two wickets each, while Shardul Kenkre picked one wicket.
Saish Hegde was awarded the Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the-Match, Arsh Sardesai Priority Constructions Best Batter and Gaurav Borkar Wakao Best Bowler.
In the second match, put in to bat, MLT Cricket Club got off to a rousing start through Sachin Sardesai 35 and Siddesh Sinai Amonkar 33, as they put on 76 runs in 46 balls for the opening wicket. Atchut Naik Dalal made an useful 20 but the innings highlight was the electrifying batting performance between Pai Kakode brothers, Manish 35 and Anish 35 as they pummelled the bowlers to all parts of the ground taking the MLT Cricket Club to an imposing 195-4 in 20 overs. Nimay Kamat picked 2-32 while Shridhar Keni and Sarin Pai Kane picked a wicket each.
In reply, the Desserts n More Avengers were dealt a double blow by Siddesh Bodke as he sent both the openers back to the pavilion within a space of 3 balls with the score reading 6-2 in the second over. Pramey Prabhu (16) and Sarin Kane (34) resurrected the innings before Sarin fell with the score reading 91-5 in the 11th over. Needing 105 runs in 55 balls was an uphill task but Akhil Nadkarni (21) and Vaibhav Kadkade (31), set the cat amongst the pigeons with their attacking batting – 26 runs from a Manish Kakode over by Vaibhav Kadkade swinging the momentum.
The skipper Siddesh Prabhu Alvenkar tried his best making 31 before a tragic runout ended his innings and along with that the Avengers hopes as they finished on 187 in 19.5 overs, just 8 short of the MLT score.
Siddhesh Bodke with 3-18 was the wrecker in chief and received good support from Manish Kakode who picked 2-34. Anish Kakode, Sachin Sardesai and Saeesh Prabhudesai chipped in with a wicket each.
Manish Pai Kakode was awarded Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match, Anish Kakode Priority Constructions Best Batter and Siddhesh Bodke Wakao Best Bowler.