Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Goa faced a disappointing end to their campaign as they went down by 243 runs to Kerala in the Elite four day Colonel C.K. Nayudu Trophy match at the St. Xavier’s KCA Cricket Academy Ground in Thiruvananthapuram. Chasing a demanding target, the Goa side struggled with the bat and failed to offer any sustained challenge to a disciplined Kerala bowling attack.
Set 364 runs for victory, Goa were dismissed for 120 in 47.3 overs in their second innings. Only a couple of batters managed to reach the twenties while the rest of the line up fell cheaply. Shantanu Nevagi top scored with 25 and Yash Kasvankar contributed 22, but partnerships never developed and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Kerala bowler Kailas Nair proved to be the chief architect of the victory with an outstanding spell that earned him five wickets for 21 runs. He received good support from J.S. Anuraj who picked up two wickets, while Pavan Raj and Shoun Roger claimed one wicket each to complete the rout.
Goa had begun the final day at 63 for three and still required more than 300 runs to pull off an unlikely win. Hopes faded quickly as early breakthroughs put the team under pressure and the lower order offered little resistance. The innings folded before tea, confirming a comprehensive win for the hosts.
Earlier in the contest, Kerala had scored 255 in their first innings. Goa replied with 171 to concede a lead. The home team then strengthened their position with 279 in the second innings, leaving Goa with a massive task in the fourth innings that eventually proved beyond their reach.
Goa will look to regroup ahead of their last league encounter against Jammu and Kashmir starting on February 13.
In summary of the match, Kerala were bowled out for 255 in their first innings while Goa managed 171 in reply. Kerala added 279 in the second innings to set a target in excess of 360 runs. Goa, resuming from 63 for three, were eventually dismissed for 120 in 47.3 overs with contributions of 25 from Shantanu Nevagi, 13 from Anuj Yadav and an unbeaten 12 from Nityay Kunkolienkar. The Kerala bowling was led by Kailas Nair with figures of five for 21, supported by J.S. Anuraj with two for 29, Pavan Raj one for 23 and Shoun Roger one for 24, sealing a dominant victory for the hosts.
