PORVORIM: One of the strongest teams on paper in the ongoing Manohar Parrikar Trophy T20 cricket tournament, Mandovi Parivar believe in ‘doing their basics right to play good cricket’ rather than boast a ‘favourites’ tag.
The team from South Goan taluka Canacona, Mandovi Parivar came into existence 27 years ago with tennis ball cricket being their forte then. Gradually, the club formed by Janardhan Bhandari and his brother Pravir Bhandari, have also been active in season ball circuit. And now at the prestigious Manohar Parrikar Trophy, the ‘men in yellow’ have a sensational squad led by Goa Ranji Trophy star batsman Snehal Kauthankar. Ranji Trophy all-rounder and this year’s IPL auction candidate Deepraj Gaonkar is a proven match-winner as well along with Ranji Trophy left-arm spinner Amulya Pandrekar, who is a dependable pro among others.
Mandovi Parivar have the potential to go far in their debut season-ball tournament of the 2020-21 season, but manager Naresh Parsekar adopts a cautious approach.
“We want to play good cricket by doing all basics right. We don’t believe in the favourites or any tags. But we have a superb mix of experience and youth with one of our players – left-arm pacer Abhishek Singh, being a raw talent to watch out for. Overall, we pride on our combination as our boys have gelled well being together for a long period of time,” says Parsekar fondly known as ‘Naru’ in Goan cricket.
The format of the tournament being open rather than restricted to municipality and panchayat jurisdiction, provides a great platform for the players who have been hungry for action in the pandemic times; added Parsekar.
Manohar Parrikar Trophy T20 cricket tournament has been organised by Yuva de Goa in association with Pilerne Cricket Club.
MANDOVI PARIVAR SQUAD: Snehal Kauthankar, Deepraj Gaonkar, Amulya Pandrekar, Robin D’Souza, Aniket Desai, Avishkar Mone, Kashyap Bakhale, Dhiraj Yadav, Karan Vasshodia, Abhishek Singh, Sher Bahadur Yadav, Mahesh Bhaidkar, Tunish Sawkar, Craig Daurado, Somesh Prabhudesai, Sanket Morajkar.
