Best batter Eeshan Kamat, Man of Match Rajaram Kundaikar and Best bowler Sukrut Pai collecting the trophies from the guest Kiran Nayak.
MARGAO
DNS VMJs Rookies registered a convincing 8-wicket win over 108 Delite Titans with 11 balls to spare on the 5th day of the 7th edition of Rajdeep Builders Sarsangan Super Series Cricket 2024-25 at Arlem Cricket Ground. In the second match, Priority Titans won a thrilling contest by 1 run, edging past Vimson Panjim Powerplay in a nail-biting encounter.
In the first match, the Rookies elected to field first and made an early breakthrough, dismissing Delite captain Viraj Puranik for 38 (19 balls, 7 x 4s). Puranik and Sudhir Kenkre (21) put on a 58-run partnership, but quick wickets saw the Titans slump to 102-7. Only Avinash Kossambe (16) managed to contribute significantly. A rear guard effort from Raj Prabhudesai (22) and co-owner Ashay Ambe (24) helped the Titans reach a total of 152 in their allotted 20 overs. Rajaram Kundaikar was the standout bowler with figures of 3-16, supported by Sukrut Pai, Mihir Gaitonde, Sahil Neurenkar, and Ved Mahambre, who each picked a wicket.
In reply, the Rookies lost Sukrut Pai early, but a 35-run partnership between Rajaram Kundaikar (35, 25 balls, 6 x 4s, 1 x 6) and Eeshan Kamat (40, 28 balls, 4 x 4s, 1 x 6) steadied the chase. Though Shivam Varik (7) fell, Neel Netravalkar (22) and captain Ved Mahambre (31) remained unbeaten, guiding the Rookies to 153/2 in 18.1 overs. Krishnakant Hegde Desai and Somay Naik picked a wicket each for the Titans. The Rookies won by 8 wickets with 11 balls to spare.
Individual awards for the match were: Rajaram Kundaikar – Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match, Eeshan Kamat – Priority Constructions Best Batter, and Sukrut Pai – Wakao Best Bowler.
In the second match, Priority Titans opted to bat first. Openers Sudin Kamat (22, 15 balls, 4 x 4s) and Deval Karmali (21, 26 balls, 3 x 4s) put on a solid 50-run partnership. Despite contributions from Swapneel Nachinolkar (17) and Sunil Salgaonkar (14), the Titans struggled as off spinners Raunak Nargundker (3-13) and Shardul Kenkre (3-21) claimed key wickets. The Titans finished with a total of 149/9 in 20 overs.
Powerplay, in reply, lost Mahendra Pai Kuchelkar early but built their innings through Sanket Prabhudesai (14) and Pranav Kamat (20). A quick 51-run partnership between Raunak Nargundker (36, 24 balls, 4 x 4s) and captain Arsh Sardesai (28, 19 balls, 3 x 4s, 1 x 6) brought them back into the contest. However, Powerplay lost 4 wickets for 2 runs, and were left needing 30 runs from the last 21 balls with two wickets remaining. A thrilling partnership between Siddhant Kunde (14*) and Anurag Borker (14) brought them to the brink of victory, needing 2 runs off 3 balls. However, Borker was run out, and Powerplay were dismissed for 148 in 19.4 overs, giving Priority Titans a 1-run win.
Individual awards for the match were: Amith Kamat – Drogaria Colvalcar Man-of-the Match, Raunak Nargundker – Priority Constructions Best Batter, and Shardul Kenkre – Wakao Best Bowler.
The 6th day of the tournament continues on Sunday, 22nd December, with Ultracon Madgaon Royals facing MLT Cricket Club in the morning and Priority Titans playing 108 Delite Titans in the afternoon.
