The much-anticipated player auction for the Panjim Gymkhana Members League (PGML) 5.0 was held at Panjim Gymkhana’s Raythata Hall, Campal on Sunday; setting the tone for another electrifying edition of Goa’s most popular members’ cricket league.
Franchise representatives turned up in large numbers, engaging in spirited bidding wars to build balanced and competitive squads. The event also witnessed the unveiling of team jerseys, marking the official kickoff to the new season.
This year’s edition will feature eight teams, including six returning franchises — Baale Tigers, Manas Mavericks, Dempo Challengers, RC Goa, Priority Titans, and DNM Avengers — and two debutants, Sherwin Shaw Falcons and Sun Estate Warriors.
The spotlight of the auction shone on Harshad Gadekar, who fetched a record 85 lakh points from Sun Estate Warriors, becoming the costliest player of PGML 5.0. Speedster Lakshay Garg followed closely, picked by Baale Tigers for 82 lakh points.
All-rounders Mukhtar Kadri (79 lakh points, DNM Avengers) and Robin D’Souza (79 lakh points, Priority Titans) were also among the top buys, while Avishkar Mone joined Manas Mavericks for 67 lakh points, further strengthening their lineup.
Speaking at the event, Manoj Caculo, President of Panjim Gymkhana, commended the league’s evolution and the enthusiasm surrounding its fifth season.
“It is a matter of great pride to stand before you as we enter the fifth season of PGML. Under the leadership of Suresh Mahadevan, the league has seen four successful editions, and this fifth promises to be a true carnival of cricket,” Caculo said.
The PGML Season 5 champions will receive a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, while the runners-up will take home ₹2 lakh. Individual prizes of ₹15,000 each will be presented for Best Player, Best Batsman, Best Bowler, and Best Fielder. A ₹5,000 Man of the Match award will be presented for every game, with an additional ₹10,000 reward for bowlers claiming four or more wickets in an innings.
Rajesh Khaunte, Secretary of Panjim Gymkhana, thanked all participating teams for their continued support.
“Panjim Gymkhana’s culture is about more than competition — it’s about camaraderie, growth, and the celebration of cricket. This season will undoubtedly be our most exciting yet,” he remarked.
With over 140 registered players, PGML Season 5 continues to grow in scale and prestige, cementing its place in Goa’s sporting calendar.
Meanwhile 8 promising cricketers from the Panjim Gymkhana Cricket Academy (PGCA), trained under coach Sandeep Siganapurkar, were picked by various franchises — offering them valuable exposure to professional-level cricket.
15-year-old Arya Amitkumar Dublay, a trainee from PGCA, was drafted by RC Goa. Arya is the only female cricketer participating in PGML 5.0 and is expected to be one of the standout stories of the league.
