Team Herald
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
RAIA: MCC Stallions and MCC Tigers secured victories in the 10th season of MCC Members Cricket League matches played at the MCC Stadium, Margao, on Saturday.
While the Stallions triumphed over the Knights in the morning session, the Tigers overpowered the Royals in the afternoon game, effectively eliminating the Royals from playoff contention.
The league’s play-off picture will become clearer after Sunday’s clashes between Dragons and Warriors and Masters and Legends. One team from Masters and Dragons will secure the top spot, while the third and fourth playoff spots will also be determined.
The Knights batted first and were bowled out for 121 runs in 19.5 overs. Captain Pranav Biche led the charge with a quick 38 off 22 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes), while Nihaal Borkar chipped in with 27 runs. The Stallions’ bowlers were on fire, with Govind Gaokar (3/17) and Rohit Salgaonkar (3/24) claiming key wickets. Nikhil Virginkar and Viraj Tar also contributed with one wicket each.
In response, the Stallions chased down the target with ease, scoring 127/3 in just 14 overs. The opening duo of Raghuvir Gharse (37 off 30 balls, 3 fours) and Chaitanya Kamat (35 off 27 balls, 4 fours) set the tone with a strong 79-run partnership. Kapil Sinai Borker finished the chase in style, smashing 33* off 17 balls (3 sixes, 1 four). For the Knights, Dinesh Pai took the sole wicket.
Govind Gaokar’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
The afternoon game saw the Tigers secure a six-wicket win over the Royals with 10 balls to spare. Batting first, the Royals posted 141/9 in 20 overs. Captain Aditya Angle (28), Vinay Sambari (26), Rueben Karekar (23), and Rizwan Kazi (23) contributed steady knocks, but the lack of acceleration proved costly. Tigers’ bowler Somay Naik was the standout performer, taking 3/22, while Vedant Naik, Siddharth Ghanekar, and Vikram Gaitonde picked up one wicket each.
The Tigers’ chase was spearheaded by openers Nikit Naik Dalal (26 off 23 balls) and Ameet Kakode (36 off 29 balls), who built a solid 56-run opening partnership. Smit Dalvi anchored the middle order with an unbeaten 32 off 31 balls, while captain Vedant Naik delivered a match-winning knock of 40 off 27 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes). For the Royals, Vinay Sambari claimed the only wicket.
Vedant Naik’s captain’s innings earned him the Player of the Match award.
Earlier, the MCC Royals clinched a nail-biting 9-run victory over the MCC Knights. The match, saw the Royals post an imposing total of 186/5 in their 20 overs. In reply, the Knights fell short, managing 177/9, marking their sixth consecutive defeat in the tournament.
