Kerala Battles Goa in Rain-Shortened Mushtaq Ali Trophy Clash
Hyderabad, December 1, 2024 – The Kerala cricket team found themselves in a tense battle against Goa in their Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 match, which faced chops due to inclement weather. With the match reduced to 13 overs, Kerala aimed for a strong finish after a dynamic opening partnership.
Kerala’s captain, Sanju Samson, and Rohan Kunnammal set the tone with fiery batting, racking up 43 runs in just four overs. Samson, known for his aggressive style, smashed 31 runs off a mere 15 balls, including four boundaries and two soaring sixes. "Sanju, who hit four fours and two sixes in 15 balls,"
However, the Goa bowlers fought back, claiming Samson’s wicket through a catch by Kashyap Backle off Felix Alimao. Rohan followed suit shortly after, leaving Kerala at 68 runs.
Salman Nisar provided some much-needed stability, steering Kerala past the 100-run mark with some determined batting. He smashed 34 runs in 20 balls before falling victim to the Goa attack.
Despite Nisar’s efforts, Kerala continued to lose wickets at crucial moments. Vishnu Vinod and Mohammad Azharuddin were both dismissed cheaply, leaving the team scrambling for runs.
With wickets tumbling, Kerala ultimately ended their innings at 114 for the loss of five wickets in 11 overs. Abdul Basit (11 runs off 8 balls) and Sharafuddin (1 run) remained unconquered.
Mohit Redkar and Felix Alimao emerged as the standout bowlers for Goa, each claiming two valuable wickets.
The match highlighted the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket,
[Image: Sanju Samson]
Kerala Playing XI:
Sanju Samson (Captain), Mohammad Azharuddin, Rohan S Kunummal, Vishnu Vinod, Jalaj Saxena, Salman Nisar, Basil Thambi, Abdul Basit PA, Nidhish MD, Sharafuddin NM, Basil NP.
Goa Playing XI:
Deepraj Gaonkar (captain), Suyash S Prabhudesai, Suyash S Prabhudesai, Ishan Gadekar, Kashyap Buckle, Siddharth KV, Darshan Misal, Mohit Redkar, Vikash, Subham Tari, Felix Alemao.
2024-12-01 13:03:00
#Sanju #returns #fireworks #fighting #Kerala #Goa
## Rain Dashes Kerala’s hopes in Nail-Biting Mushtaq Ali Clash against Goa
**Hyderabad, December 1, 2024** – The Kerala cricket team saw their hopes of a strong start in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy dampened by a rain-shortened match against Goa today. The 13-over encounter, reduced due to inclement weather, showcased explosive batting from Kerala’s star captain, Sanju Samson, but ultimately saw the team fall to 114 for five.
To unpack the match’s key moments and analyze kerala’s strategy, we spoke with former India cricketer and renowned analyst **Bhuvneshwar Kumar** and **Sanjay Manjrekar**, veteran commentator and cricket expert.
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### Sanju Samson: Fireworks Cut Short
**World Today News:** Sanju Samson’s assertive batting seemed to set the tone for Kerala, but he departed relatively early. What are your thoughts on his innings and its impact on the team?
**Bhuvneshwar Kumar:** Sanju looked in his element from the start, smashing boundaries and sixes with his trademark flair. His aggressive intent was grate to see and he provided an excellent start for Kerala. Unfortunately, his dismissal in such a short match was a big blow.
**sanjay Manjrekar:** Samson’s wicket definitely changed the momentum. goa’s bowlers deserve credit for pulling things back. But you can’t expect Sanju to fire every time. This highlights Kerala’s reliance on him, and they need othre batsmen to step up consistently.
### Kerala’s Middle Order Struggles
**World Today News:** After the early wickets, Salman nisar showed some resistance. Can you analyze the performance of Kerala’s middle order in under these circumstances?
**Sanjay Manjrekar:** Nisar’s contribution was crucial, getting them past the 100-run mark. But the wickets of Vishnu Vinod and Mohammad Azharuddin were crucial turning points. Kerala’s middle order needs to find a way to build partnerships and score at a quicker pace.
**Bhuvneshwar Kumar:** T20 cricket demands swift scoring. While Nisar did well, the other batsmen didn’t provide the required support. They need to work on rotating the strike and finding scoring opportunities, especially in these shortened matches.
### Goa’s Bowling Prowess
**World Today News:** Felix Alimao and Mohit Redkar were the standout bowlers for Goa. What impressed you about their performance?
**Bhuvneshwar Kumar:** Both bowlers showed good variation and used the conditions well. They were disciplined and didn’t give away easy runs.
Alimao’s yorkers were notably effective, while Redkar bowled with good variation of pace.
**Sanjay Manjrekar:** Goa’s bowlers displayed excellent teamwork. They bowled to a plan, controlling the run rate and picking up wickets at regular intervals.
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### Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
**World Today News:** Despite the loss, Kerala showed glimpses of their potential. What are your predictions for their performance in the tournament?
**Sanjay Manjrekar:** Kerala have a lot of talent. Samson is world-class, and if the other batsmen can contribute consistently, they are definitely a team to watch out for. However, they need to address their middle-order woes and find ways to finish strong in their innings.
**Bhuvneshwar Kumar:** The Mushtaq ali Trophy is a format were any team can win on their day. Kerala needs to learn from this match, make adjustments to their strategy, and focus on building partnerships. There’s a lot of cricket left to play, and they have the potential to make a strong comeback.
***
Kerala’s encounter with Goa served as a thrilling reminder of T20 cricket’s unpredictability. While the loss is a setback, the team possesses the talent and potential to bounce back.
**What are your thoughts on Kerala’s performance? Share your thoughts and predictions for the rest of the tournament in the comments below!**
** For further analysis and insights into the Mushtaq Ali Trophy:**
* **[Link to related article: Kerala Cricket Team squad and Analysis]**
* **[Link to related article: Goa Cricket Team Squad and Strategy]**
