PANJIM: Reliance and Air India won their respective matches of the Goa Corporate League organised by Goa Cricket Association, at GCA ground, Porvorim, on Monday.
While Reliance got the better of Food Corportation of India (FCI) by eight wickets, Air India beat DY Patil by five wickets.
In the first match, electing to bat first a 34-ball 55 runs by Akash Tomar helped FCI post a commendable total of 169 runs for the loss of four wickets. Akash hit six sixes and 2 boundaries on his way to the half century.
Akash was ably supported by Chaten Sharma who scored 37 runs in 25 balls to put up a 79-run partnership.
FCI had a slow start to their innings as they lost their first wicket in the second over when Mayank Siddana was sent back to the pavilion by Baltej Singh. Just as FCI were gaining momentum, they were hit back when they lost two quick wickets and were 59 for 3.
Umang Sharma and Akash Tomar took the innings to 90 with a 66 run partnership before the former India U-19 captain was sent packing by a brilliant stumping by the Reliance keeper.
Reliance’s Kelwant Khejroliya, Baltej Singh, Pawan Negi and Karan Sharma took a wicket each.
In reply, Reliance chased down the target in just 16.1 overs.
Openers Rishab Pant and Jitesh Sharma put up a 95 run partnership with both the batsmen scoring half-centuries. Rishab scored 63 off just 26 deliveries hitting six sixes and six boundaries while his partner Jitesh scored 66 off 43 balls including three sixes.
FCI used eight bowlers to restrict the onslaught but after picking the first wicket for 95, Reliance put up another big partnership. Unmukt Chand and Jitesh put up a 66 run stand before the former U-19 captain was caught by Inkar off Unmag Sharma bowling. Pulkit Narang and Umang Sharma were the only wicket takers for FCI.
Rishab Pant won the Man-of-the-Match award.
Electing to bat first, CAG scored 149 for the loss of nine wickets.
Jalaj Saxenna (40) was the top scorer for CAG.
Simit Narwal and Sanjay Pahel took two wickets each for ONGC. In reply CAG managed to restrict ONGC at 147 to register a two-run win to make their way into the semi-finals.
Despite Nitish Rana’s 52* ONGC couldn’t reach the target.
CAG will now lock horns with IOC at 2 p.m. in the first semis, while Air India will face Reliance in the second semis.
On Sunday, winning the toss Air India elected to field first and managed to restrict DY Patil at 144 for the loss of eight wickets.
Sarfaraz Khan (35) and Aman Khan (25) were the top run getters for DY Patil.
Badrey Aman (3/20) was the pick of Air India bowlers while Harmeet Singh picked two wickets. Siddharth Trivedi and Moondeep Mangela took a wicket each.
Air India reached the targed in the 17th over. Amey Soman put scored 64 runs off 42 deliveries. The ruthless batsman scored nine boundaries and two over the rope.
Jay Bista was the other top run getter for Air India scoring48 runs.
Sandeep Warrior picked three wickets for DY Patil while Vineet Sinha and Shashank Singh took a wicket each.
Air India’a Amey Soman won the Man-of-the-Match award.
