Sunday, August 13, 2023 Opening batsman LR Chethan and medium bowler Abhilash Shetty made sure Gulbarga Mystics got off to a successful start in their quest to defend the championship in the second Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, which began today at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
With six wickets in hand, they defeated the runners-up Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters from the previous year.
With crucial contributions from top-order batsman LR Chethan, who hit a quickfire 36 off 24 balls, Abhilash Shetty’s (3/17) hauler and Sharan Goud’s (2/24) proved crucial in Gulbarga Mystics’ victory.
Bengaluru Blasters were given the opportunity to bat earlier in the day by Gulbarga Mystics. The team’s choice worked like magic, with Abhilash Shetty returning captain Mayank Agarwal (4) and D Nischal (1) to the bench within the third over
The Blasters were in trouble at 43/2 at the conclusion of the powerplay. Pavan Deshpande (14) and Jeswanth Acharya (29) formed a crucial partnership after the runs stopped coming, before Suraj Ahuja (62*) started the fireworks. Though he was cautious to first, he soon made up for it by destroying Appanna KP for four boundaries in the fifteenth over. The Blasters finished with a marginally competitive score of 137/6 because to Ahuja’s unbeaten knock of 62 in just 46 deliveries.
In reaction, the Mystics sought to quickly devour their prey. LR Chethan (36) and Adarsh Prajwal (31) set the tone for the innings from the first over. The Mystics were comfortably seated at 61/0 by the time the powerplay ended thanks to LR Chethan’s three successful rope clearances. Shubang Hegde, a skilled spinner, managed to eliminate Chethan, Adarsh, and Smaran R (8) using a cunning spell.
However, the Gulbarga Mystics were able to complete their victory with six wickets and 15 balls remaining thanks to an explosive start, KV Aneesh (29*), and the seasoned Amit Verma (28).
Hubli Tigers defeat Mysuru Warriors by nine wickets with ease.
Hubli Tigers won by nine wickets in the second edition of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, which was postponed due to rain, thanks to an 82-run stand between Krishnan Srijith (17 off 16 balls) and Mohd. Taha (61 off 30 balls).
Mysuru Warriors, who were given the opportunity to bat first, struggled to gain momentum and kept losing wickets. The Warriors had only scored 30 runs before the end of the powerplay and had lost C. Karthik (0) and Karun Nair (7). Opener Samarth R (21), who attempted to lead the batting, was eventually bowled out by Mitrakanth Yadav in the tenth over after failing to capitalize on his start.
The Tigers’ bowling attack was led by Yadav, who dismissed Rakshith Shashikumar (2) and the dangerous Manoj Bhandage (5). Vidwath Kaverappa and Lavish Kaushal both contributed two wickets.
Quick Scores
By six wickets, Gulbarga Mystics won.
Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters scored 137/6 in 20 overs (Suraj Ahuja scored 62 off 46, Jeshwanth Acharya scored 29 off 19, Pavan Deshpande scored 14 off 24 balls, Abhilash Shetty took three wickets, and Sharan Gouda took two wickets).
The Gulbarga Mystics scored 138/4 in 17.3 (LR Chethan: 36 off 24 deliveries; Aadarsh Prajwal: 31 off 20 deliveries; KV Aneesh: 29 off 31 deliveries; Shubhang Hegde: 3/25; Sarfaraz Ashraf: 1/21)
Hubli Tigers prevailed by nine wickets (VJD Method).
Mysuru Warriors score 111/9 in 20 overs (Ravikumar Samarth scores 21 off 24 balls, Jagadeeshaa Suchith scores 20 off 19 balls, Bharath Dhuri scores 16 off 17 balls, M Venkatesh scores 16 off 11 balls, Mitrakant Yadav scores 3/7, V KAverappa scores 2/20, and L Kaushal scores 2/23). Hubli Tigers- 81/1 in 8.1/ 13 overs (M Taha – 61 off 30 balls, KL Shrijith- 17 off 16 balls, Prasidh Krishna 1/13)
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