The Goa cricket team faced a tough challenge in the Vijay Hazare Elite Cricket Tournament as they suffered an 87-run loss to the strong Mumbai side on Wednesday. The match took place at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur, where Mumbai set a daunting target of 444 for 8 after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
Mumbai’s innings was bolstered by an explosive performance from Sarfaraz Khan, who dominated the Goa bowlers with a stunning 157 runs off just 75 balls, featuring 9 fours and a remarkable 14 sixes. Hardik Tamore also made a significant contribution with the bat, scoring 53 runs in 28 balls. Despite the large total, Goa’s bowlers showed resilience, with Darshan Misal taking three wickets while V. Koushik and Lalit Yadav picked up two wickets each.
In their response, Goa put up a commendable fight, finishing with a score of 357 for 9 in 50 overs. Arjun Tendulkar and Kashyap Bakhale opened the innings, but it was Lalit Yadav who led the charge with a solid 64 runs. A pivotal 117-run partnership between Yadav and Abhinav Tejrana was crucial as Tejrana achieved a striking century with 100 runs from 70 balls, including 5 fours and 8 sixes. Deepraj Gaonkar also played a key role with a quickfire 70 runs off just 28 deliveries.
Shardul Thakur was the standout bowler for Mumbai, claiming 3 wickets for 20 runs, further sealing Goa’s fate. With this defeat, Goa has slipped to third place in Group C, now holding 12 points. The team is set to face Uttarakhand on January 3 in their upcoming match.
The spirited performance from Goa, especially the batting heroics, showcases their potential, making them a team to watch in the remaining fixtures of the tournament.