NT Reporter
Porvorim
Goa suffered a 14
run-defeat against Pondicherry in the opening match of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy Elite U-19 Tournament at the Sector-16 Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
After opting to bowl, Goa’s bowlers had Pondicherry in early trouble at 10/3, but Aahil Kachru (53) and Haris Maraicar (47) steadied the innings with a 91-run partnership. Pondicherry eventually reached 214 before being bowled out in 48.4 overs.
Aaditya Kota led Goa’s attack with 3/34, while Chigurupati Venkata, Shamik Kamat and Afrid took two wickets each.
Goa’s chase began poorly at 29/3, but captain Aaradhya Goyal (41) helped rebuild the innings alongside Afrid (20). Mihir Kudalkar (24) and Mohammed Uzair (22) added useful runs, keeping Goa in the contest.
Mohit Yadav provided the late push with an unbeaten 47 off 40 balls, but Goa were eventually bowled out for 200 in 47.4 overs.
Pondicherry’s Srijan Sinhasan (3/26) and Badal Rawat (3/29) led the defence, with Goa unable to complete the chase despite a strong finish from Yadav.
