Abhinav impresses in their five-wicket win over Panjim Gymkhana
Panaji: Dempo Cricket Club stamped their authority to storm into the Goa Premier Division League final with a commanding five-wicket win over Panjim Gymkhana at the Bandodkar ground on Sunday.
The result ensured Dempo (15 points) joined table-toppers Chowgule Sports Club (21) in the final, to be played from April 15 to 17 at the GCA Academy ground, Porvorim under lights with the pink ball.
Panjim Gymkhana were bowled out for 143 in the first innings, with Soham Panvalkar (51) and Afridsab (27) offering resistance as Dempo’s bowlers maintained discipline.
Dempo responded strongly, posting 266 to take the lead, thanks to Snehal Kavthankar’s 119 and Aaditya Kota’s 61, while Abhinandan Thakur picked up five wickets.
In the second innings, Panjim Gymkhana recovered from 184 for 5 to post 270, with Soham Panvalkar remaining unbeaten on 53 and Vijesh Prabhudesai contributing 35. Abhinav Tejrana led the bowling with 5 for 94, supported by Mohit Yadav (2/67) and Samit Mishra (1/44).
Chasing 148, Dempo reached 149 for 5, with Abhinav Tejrana top-scoring with 35, while Aaditya Kota and Sarthak Bhike made 30 each. Shadab Khan returned 4 for 23.
Abhinav Tejrana was named Player of the Match.
Elsewhere at NAPEX ground, Geno Sports Club and Salgaocar Cricket Club played out a drawn match.
Salgaocar posted 351/8 declared in their first innings, with Yash Kasvankar scoring 121. Geno in reply scored 386/9 declared, taking a 34-run lead, with Vikas Singh (87) and Manthan Khutkar (57) among the topo runs.
Salgaocar made 243/8 in their second innings, with Amulya Pandrekar unbeaten on 50. Nihal Surlkar took six wickets for Geno. The match ended in a draw due to time constraints. Geno finished third place with a total of 15 points with a quotient of 1.034, followed by Margao with 11 points. Salgaocar settled for fifth place while, Panjim were at the bottom with 4 points.
