Margao: The 10th season of the Members Cricket League (MCL), organized by Margao Cricket Club, delivered an exciting day of cricket as MCC Legends and MCC Dragons claimed victories in their respective matches at the MCC Ground in Margao on Sunday.
The first match saw MCC Legends overcome MCC Knights by 5 wickets. MCC Knights set a competitive total of 124/9 in 17 overs, with standout performances by Venkatesh Nevgi, who top-scored with 40 runs off 20 balls, featuring 5 fours and 2 sixes. Rohit Mehta and Pranav Biche contributed 33 and 22 runs, respectively. MCC Legends’ bowling attack was spearheaded by Vasudev Kundaiker, who took 2 wickets for a mere 7 runs. Additional support came from Sandeep Dalal, Amod Borkar, Gopal Gawas, and Elliyas Naroo, each taking one wicket.
In reply, MCC Legends chased down the target of 125 in just 15 overs. Vasudev Kundaiker shone with the bat as well, scoring 36 runs from 27 balls, supported by Elliyas Naroo’s 35 runs off 25 balls and opener Vishwesh Kamat’s 21 runs. Despite Venkatesh Biche’s impressive bowling, taking 2 wickets for 16 runs, and Dinesh Pai’s 1/20, MCC Knights were unable to hold back the Legends. For his all-round contribution, Vasudev Kundaiker was named ‘Player of the Match.’
The second match of the day featured MCC Dragons in a nail-biting encounter against MCC Royals. After opting to bat first, MCC Royals faced a tough start, losing 5 wickets for just 43 runs in 7 overs. Captain Aditya Angle’s 16 and Shailesh Borkar’s 35 off 27 balls, laced with 5 boundaries, helped the team reach a defendable total of 115 runs in 20 overs. MCC Dragons’ bowling unit was led by Dr. Ankush Patil, who bagged 3 wickets for 11 runs, while Om Fadte took 2/12, and Sudhir Shet, Mrinmay Das, and Rajesh Chougule each chipped in with a wicket.
Chasing 116, MCC Dragons also found themselves in trouble at 7/3 but were steadied by Captain Vaibhav Naik’s crucial 38-run innings off 35 balls. His 35-run partnership with Aditya Prabhugaonkar (18) and a resilient 31 runs by Rasik Pai Khot kept the chase alive. The match reached a dramatic conclusion with 13 runs required from the final over. Sudhir Shet’s unbeaten 15 off 12 balls and Dr. Ankush Patil’s 4 not out ensured a thrilling finish for the Dragons. Dr. Ankush Patil’s match-winning efforts earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade.
The next MCL 10 matches are scheduled for November 20, featuring Masters vs. Warriors, and November 21, with Tigers taking on Stallions. Both matches will be played under lights and will start at 7:00 PM.
