Team Herald
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MARGAO: PGML Kings emerged victorious in a thrilling final defeating MCL Superstars by 3 wickets with 5 balls to spare to claim the Ramakant Verlekar Champions Trophy 2025 organised by the Sunita Verlekar Foundation under floodlights at the Dr Rajendra Prasad Stadium, Margao, recently.
This was the fifth edition of the prestigious tournament. The PGML Kings team featured top players from the Panaji Gymkhana Members League, while MCL Superstars comprised leading players from the Margao Cricket Club’s Members Cricket League.
After winning the toss, MCL Superstars elected to bat first, scoring 147/9 in 20 overs. Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar top-scored with an unbeaten 40 runs, while captain Aditya Angle (25) and Amod Borkar (23) made valuable contributions. For PGML Kings, Ajinkya Kudtarkar, Ramnath Gaonkar and Saif Ali Karajgi took two wickets each, while Heramb Shankar Parab, Om Fadte and Sazu Naik claimed one wicket apiece.
Chasing the target, PGML Kings secured victory in 19.1 overs, losing 7 wickets. At one stage, they were comfortably placed at 116/3, with Vedant Naik scoring 40 runs off 28 balls. However, a double strike by Siddharth Ghanekar, dismissing Robin D’Souza (8) and Saif (43 off 34 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) in a single over, made the contest exciting.
Siddhesh Alvencar further dented PGML Kings by dismissing captain Muktiar Kadri (7) and Ramnath Gaonkar (0). Under pressure, Harshad Gadekar played a crucial unbeaten knock of 22 runs, ensuring victory for his team.
The prize distribution ceremony was graced by former Indian cricketer and former coach of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team Lalchand Rajput, currently the head coach of UAE’s national team. Other dignitaries included MCC President Yogesh Naik, Kapil Angle and Sunita Verlekar Foundation Trustee Gautam Verlekar, who handed out the awards.