Maharaja Trophy 2024: Bengaluru Blasters to take on Gulbarga Mystics in opening match of third season

Bengaluru, July 30, 2024: Bengaluru Blasters are set to take on Gulbarga Mystics in the first game of the highly anticipated third edition of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, set to begin on August 15th at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association announced the schedule for the marquee competition on Tuesday as franchises begin their preparations for the high-stakes tournament with a cash purse of Rs. 35 lakhs. The winners will receive Rs. 15 lakhs while the runners-up will receive Rs. 10 lakhs, with the remaining amount split between the third and fourth-placed teams.

While the opening fixture between Bengaluru Blasters and Gulbarga Mystics promises excitement on August 15, the opening day will also see the Shivamogga Lions go head-to-head with last year’s runners-up, Mysore Warriors in the second match of the day. Meanwhile, the Mangaluru Dragons will clash with the reigning champions, Hubli Tigers, in their inaugural game of the season on August 16.

All matches will be played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, with league fixtures running between August 15 and August 29. Each match day will feature double-headers, ensuring fans enjoy back-to-back action. The semifinals are scheduled for August 30 and 31, with the tournament culminating in the final on September 1. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, playing each other twice. The top four teams at the end of the league stage will advance to the semi-finals.

“The third edition of the Maharaja Trophy is set to be an exhilarating event, providing a fantastic platform for young talent to shine,” said BK Sampath Kumar, Commissioner of the Maharaja Trophy and Hon. Vice President of KSCA. “We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from across the country for the Maharaja Trophy over the years, reflecting the tournament's growing popularity. I urge fans to come to the stadium and support their teams, as their enthusiasm and energy truly elevate the competition.”

The tournament will be broadcast on Star Sports 2, Star Sports Kannada, and streamed on FanCode.