GPL One-Day League Semi-final Geno, Salgaocar to clash for the GPL title

Panaji: Cricket lovers witnessed a double dose of excitement in the semi-finals of the Goa Premier Division One-Day League 2025–26 organized by the Goa Cricket Association. Geno SC defeated MCC in a thrilling Super Over, while Salgaocar overcame Chowgule’s spirited resistance to book their place in the final.

The match between Margao Cricket Club and Geno Sports Club at the GCA Academy Ground in Porvorim turned out to be a nail-biter. Batting first, MCC posted a challenging 257 in 39.5 overs. Though the start was cautious, the middle order steadied the innings. Captain Rajshekhar Harikant (56) played a composed knock, while Deepraj Gaonkar smashed an aggressive 80 off 57 balls. Late contributions from Heramb Parab (13) and Anuj Yadav (17) helped the team cross the 250 mark. For Geno, Samarth Rane (4 wickets) and Mehank Dharwadkar (4 wickets) impressed with the ball.
In reply, Geno got off to a blazing start. Veer Yadav scored a quickfire 50 off just 22 balls, hitting 4 fours and 5 sixes. However, wickets kept falling at regular intervals. In such a situation, Kaushal Hattangadi (unbeaten 86) showed great composure to anchor the innings. Geno eventually matched the total in 38.2 overs, tying the match. For MCC, Anuj Yadav, Deepraj Gaonkar, and Heramb Parab picked up two wickets each.
In the Super Over, Geno dominated by scoring 34 runs. Vikas Singh hammered five sixes and a four in the over bowled by Heramb Parab. In response, despite Deepraj Gaonkar hitting three consecutive sixes, Margao could manage only 19 runs.

In the second semi-final, Salgaocar Cricket Club defeated Chowgule Sports Club by 26 runs to secure their place in the final.
The match at the GCA Ground in Sanguem-Kotarli saw Salgaocar recover after an early wobble. Piyush Yadav (64) and Shantanu Nevagi (57) stabilized the innings with sensible batting. Yogesh Kauthankar remained unbeaten on 47, accelerating towards the end, while Tunish Sawkar (37) played an attacking knock to take the team to 250. For Chowgule, Shubham Desai was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets.
Chowgule started well in the chase, with Gauresh Kambli (65) and Sanath Nevagi (30) playing aggressively. However, the middle order failed to capitalize. At crucial moments, Salgaocar’s bowlers struck effectively to turn the match in their favour. Gauresh Nagvekar claimed 4 wickets, while Amulya Pandrekar supported well with 2 wickets. Chowgule were eventually bowled out for 224.
Cricket fans are now eagerly looking forward to the day-night final scheduled on May 1, with expectations of yet another thrilling contest.

Brief Scorecard
Margao Cricket Club – 257 all out in 39.5 overs (Deepraj Gaonkar 80, Rajshekhar Harikant 56, Chigurupati Venkata 30; extras 18; Samarth Rane 4/44, Mehank Dharwadkar 4/41, Nihal Surlakar 1/31)
tied with Geno Sports Club – 257 all out in 38.2 overs (Kaushal Hattangadi 86*, Veer Yadav 50, Pundalik Naik 30, Vikas Singh 29; extras 12; Anuj Yadav 2/31, Heramb Parab 2/44, Deepraj Gaonkar 2/37)

Super Over: Geno SC – 34/0 (Vikas Singh 34*) beat
Margao CC – 19/0 (Deepraj Gaonkar 18*)

Salgaocar Cricket Club – 250/6 in 39 overs (Piyush Yadav 64, Shantanu Nevagi 57, Yogesh Kauthankar 47*, Tunish Sawkar 37; extras 20; Shubham Desai 2/38) beat Chowgule Sports Club – 224 all out in 36.4 overs (Gauresh Kambli 65, Madhur Yadav 42, Vinayak Kunte 34*, Sanath Nevagi 30; extras 15; Gauresh Nagvekar 4/47, Amulya Pandrekar 2/24)