Team Herald
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MARGAO: In a nerve-wracking finish at the MCC, Margao, the VMCL Hustlers clinched a narrow 2-run victory over the VMCL Scorpions in the final of the Ferdinand Coelho Memorial VMCL-3.
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, the Hustlers posted a total of 139 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Venkatesh Nevagi (37 runs off 34 balls) and Sachin Kenkre (35 off 32 balls) top-scored with key contributions. Despite early setbacks, the team managed to build momentum through the middle overs before quick wickets slowed their progress. Anil Mashelkar and Dr. Satyesh Kamat led the bowling for the Scorpions, both claiming two wickets each.
In reply, the Scorpions put up a spirited chase but fell agonizingly short, finishing at 137 for 9 in their 20 overs. Nilesh Prabhudesai (33 off 30 balls) and Iftikar Agha (20 off 29 balls) tried to anchor the innings, while some brave hitting by
Mahesh Kudchadkar (35 off 25 balls) put them within sight of victory. However, regular wickets and tight bowling from the Hustlers, especially Sachin Kenkre (3 wickets for 21 runs), kept them under pressure.
Key moments included Raghuvir Kuncolienkar’s early breakthroughs and a crucial late spell by Kenkre, who struck thrice in quick succession. The Scorpions needed just 3 runs off the final ball, but a wicket by Kenkre sealed the title for the Hustlers.
Both teams fought fiercely, with the match witnessing four run-outs and disciplined death-overs bowling. Extras proved costly for both sides, with the Scorpions conceding 6 extras and the Hustlers 13, but ultimately, it was the Hustlers who held their nerve.
With this victory, the VMCL Hustlers crowned themselves champions of the Ferdinand Coelho Memorial VMCL-3, closing a fiercely competitive tournament with a match to remember.
Kashyap Shinkre was the special guest for the toss, warmly greeting both teams before the start. Sachin Kenkre was named the man-of-the-match for his brilliant all-round performance. Vicky Nevagi was adjudged the best batsman of the tournament for his consistent run-scoring.
Satyesh Kamat had a remarkable tournament, bagging both the best bowler and man-of-the-series awards for his outstanding efforts with both ball and bat. Mahesh Kudchadkar was awarded hero-of-the-match for his blistering knock. President Yogesh Naik and other committee members presided over the prize distribution ceremony and congratulated all the winners.