Dominant Dempo Lift GPL Trophy

Panaji: Dempo Cricket Club clinched the Goa Premier Division League 2025-26 title, organized by the Goa Cricket Association. In the final, Dempo defeated Chowgule Sports Club on the basis of their first-innings lead. With the match ending in a draw, Chowgule had to pay the price for their first-innings deficit.

In the four-day pink-ball match played at the GCA Academy ground in Porvorim, Dempo Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bat first. Playing cautiously yet aggressively, they piled up a massive 646 for 9 declared in 150.2 overs. Despite losing a few early wickets, Abhinav Tej Rana (70) and Aman Dhooper (124) steadied the innings. Captain Snehal Kauthankar then produced a brilliant knock of 241 runs off 271 balls. Jeevan Chittem contributed 101 runs to strengthen the middle order.
Chasing a huge total, Chowgule Sports Club offered strong resistance. Gauresh Kambli (105) and Darshan Misal (123) scored centuries to revive their side, while Felix Alemao added 75 runs. However, Dempo’s bowlers struck at regular intervals to bundle out Chowgule for 497 in 110.3 overs. Mohit Yadav took five wickets, while Abhinav Tej Rana claimed three.
After securing a first-innings lead of 149 runs, Dempo started cautiously in their second innings. Resuming on 16 for 2 at the end of day three, they slipped to 45 for 4 on Saturday. However, Aman Dhooper (40) and captain Snehal Kauthankar (119 not out, 15 fours, 1 six) added 72 runs for the fifth wicket, preventing Chowgule from making a comeback. Mohit Yadav contributed a gritty 28 runs. Dempo ended at 235 for 7 in 71 overs.
With 67 overs of play completed in the day, both captains agreed to call off the match as a draw. Having scored a double century in the first innings and a century in the second, Dempo captain Snehal Kauthankar was adjudged the standout performer of the match.

Scoreboard:

Dempo Cricket Club, 1st innings – 646/9 declared
Chowgule Sports Club, 1st innings – 497 all out
Dempo Cricket Club, 2nd innings – (from 16/2) Lakmesh Pawne run out Alemao 4, Sarthak Bhike run out Bhujbal–Shubham 17, Aman Dhooper c Kambli b Misal 40, Snehal Kauthankar not out 119, Jeevan Chittem st b Shubham 5, Rahul Mehta c Alemao b Misal 0, Mohit Yadav not out 28, extras 7; Total 235/7 in 71 overs.
Bowling: Shubham Desai 31-1-93-1, Darshan Misal 33-6-100-4, Pradyumna Atpadkar 2-0-9-0, Kaustubh Pingulkar 3-0-18-0, Gauresh Kambli 1-0-10-0, Shivendra Bhujbal 1-1-0-0.
based on