Gaonkar’s all round show, Yadav’s century secure win
Panaji: Goa held their nerve in a tense finish to edge past Himachal Pradesh by eight runs and register their second successive win in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite group match at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground on Friday.
Led by an all-round effort from captain Deepraj Gaonkar, a fluent century by Lalit Yadav and a timely half-century from Suyash Prabhudesai, Goa posted a competitive 285 for nine before bowling out Himachal Pradesh for 277 in 49.3 overs.
Chasing 286, Himachal began steadily with Innesh Mahajan and Ankit Kalsi adding 58 for the opening wicket. Goa struck in quick succession thereafter to leave the side reeling at 60 for three, and the dismissal of captain Mridul Suroch soon after reduced Himachal to 70 for four.
Pukhraj Mann then waged a lone battle, compiling a superb 126 off 119 balls, studded with 14 fours and three sixes, and kept Himachal in the hunt through small but vital partnerships. The turning point came in the 46th over when Gaonkar dismissed Mann to complete a five-wicket haul. Despite brief resistance from the lower order, Himachal fell agonisingly short.
Earlier, after opting to bowl, Himachal made early inroads as Goa slumped to 33 for three inside 10 overs. Suyash Prabhudesai (51 off 63 balls) and Lalit Yadav revived the innings with a crucial 90-run stand for the fourth wicket.Goa slipped again after the dismissal of Suyash and Darshan Misal, but Gaonkar counter-attacked with a brisk 71 off 48 deliveries, including six fours and two sixes. Lalit anchored the innings with a composed 104 off 126 balls, while Rajashekhar Harikant chipped in with an unbeaten 16 off 10 balls to push Goa past 280.
