Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Goa fought hard against Vidarbha in the Dr. (Capt.) Thimmappiah Memorial Cricket Tournament but suffered a 28-run defeat after being bowled out for 294 while chasing 323 at the IAF Ground in Bengaluru.
Vidarbha, who had posted 393 in their first innings, gained a 65-run first-innings lead after Goa were dismissed for 328. Captain Snehal Kauthankar was the standout performer for Goa, producing a determined 149 off 280 deliveries with 16 boundaries to keep his side in the contest.
Vidarbha then reached 257 for nine before declaring in their second innings, setting Goa a challenging target of 323. Goa responded positively and went on the attack from the beginning.
Opener Suyash Prabhudesai provided Goa with a flying start, smashing 52 off just 36 balls with six fours and two sixes. He added 69 runs with Manthan Khutkar, who contributed 41, for the opening wicket in only 9.4 overs.
Shivendra Bhujbal added 33, while Yash Kasvankar scored a valuable 49. Ruthvik Naik kept Goa’s hopes alive deep into the innings with a fighting 51 off 67 balls.
However, Vidarbha’s bowling attack eventually broke through the Goa lower order and wrapped up the innings at 294 in 57.4 overs. Yash Kadam was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four wickets for 35 runs, while Parth Rekhade took two wickets.
The defeat was Goa’s second in the tournament. They had earlier suffered a narrow one-wicket loss against the KSCA President’s XI.
Goa will now look to finish the tournament on a positive note when they face Gujarat in their final match from September 13 to 16 at the BGS Ground.
