Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The opening round of the Goa Premier Division League, organised by the Goa Cricket Association, concluded with all three matches ending in draws. Despite the stalemates, Geno Sports Club, Panjim Gymkhana and Salgaocar Cricket Club secured valuable points after gaining first innings leads over their respective opponents.
At the NAPEX ground, the contest between Panjim Gymkhana and Margao Cricket Club produced a dramatic finish. Panjim Gymkhana resumed their second innings at 82 for 2 and declared at 214 for 6 in a bid to force a result. Dishank Misquin anchored the innings with an unbeaten 70, while Ishan Gadekar added a solid 51. Anuj Yadav was the most effective bowler for Margao with three wickets.
Chasing a target of 274, Margao Cricket Club mounted a strong reply through Deepraj Gaonkar, who scored an impressive 88, and Aryan Narvekar, who contributed 61. With Margao just 15 runs away from victory and Panjim Gymkhana needing one wicket, the match ended when the allotted overs ran out.
At the Bandodkar Ground in Campal, Geno Sports Club and Chowgule Sports Club also shared the spoils. Geno resumed their second innings at 124 for 3 and were eventually bowled out for 225. Vikas Singh scored 47, while Kaushal Hattangadi made 38. Chowgule captain Darshan Misal delivered a standout bowling performance, claiming seven wickets for 67 runs.
Chowgule responded well in their second innings, reaching 199 for 7 in 63 overs. Madhur Yadav continued his consistent form with 69 runs, while Misal contributed 44. For Geno, Vikas Singh and Manish Kakode claimed three wickets each.
Meanwhile, at the GCA ground in Cotarli Sanguem, Salgaocar Cricket Club dominated Dempo Cricket Club but could not force a victory. Salgaocar’s massive first innings total left Dempo struggling at 196, with Yash Kasvankar taking six wickets for 48 runs. Asked to follow on, Dempo recovered to 152 for 3, led by Aaditya Kota’s unbeaten 67 and Abhinav Tejrana’s 45.
Following the first round, Salgaocar CC, Panjim Gymkhana and Geno SC each collected three points, while Chowgule SC, Margao CC and Dempo CC earned one point each.
