Maharaja Trophy KSCA 2023: Bengaluru Blasters' losing streak continue as Hubli Tigers savour sixth win, Shivamogga Lions earn clinical victory against Mysuru Warriors

Day 10, Match 1

Bengaluru, August 22nd, 2023: The Hubli Tigers brought up their sixth win of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, beating the Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters by six wickets with nine balls to spare. A fine century stand between Mayank Agarwal (68) and D Nischal (54) for Bengaluru went in vain as the Hubli batters came out all guns blazing, with Md. Taha leading the way scoring a 35-ball 66. 

After winning the toss, the Bengaluru Blasters elected to bat first.  Bhuvan Raju (6) fell in the first over to V. Kaverappa, but Nischal (54) and Mayank Agarwal (68) looked to be in fine form as they powered the Bengaluru Blasters to 52/1 at the end of the powerplay. While Nischal led the onslaught in the first six overs, Mayank Agarwal broke the shackles in the next phase of the game. His inning saw him clear the ropes on six occasions and his rapid-fire half century came as quick as 34 balls while Nischal reached the milestone in 38 deliveries.   

The pair put on a partnership of 122 runs, before they departed in quick succession to the shrewd KC Cariappa in the fourteenth over with the score reading 130/3.  While Shubhang Hedge (28) played yet another handy knock before he was bowled by Kaverappa, Suraj Ahuja (6) was also dismissed by KC Cariappa without making much of an impact. Lochan Appanna (11*) and Aman Khan (4*) manage to string together a 23-run partnership to ensure the Bengaluru Blasters finished at 188/5 in 20 overs.  KC Cariappa was the pick of the Hubli bowling with figures of 3/31 while V.Kaverappa finished with 2/29

In reply, the Hubli Tigers were off to a flier as they scored 67 runs in the powerplay. Luvnith Sisodia was dismissed for a quickfire 20 runs off 9 balls, but Md. Taha (66 off 35 balls) didn’t let up, as he went on to register his half century in 23 balls, making the Bengaluru Blasters pay dearly for dropping his catch in the second over. 

Md. Taha, along with KL Shrijith (45) put together a partnership of 101 runs from just 54 balls before Taha was scalped by Rishi Bopanna. Shrijith also fell soon after a well-made 45 runs from 30 balls that included two fours and three sixes. BA Mohith (10) was Sarfaraz Ashraf’s second wicket in the match, falling in the 15th over at the end of which the score read 154/4. 

With just 35 runs required in the final five overs and six wickets in hand, the Hubli Tigers continued the momentum they had generated, as skipper Manish Pandey (35*) and Praveen Dubey (8*) took them to a comfortable win with 9 wickets and with nine balls to spare. 

Brief Scores

Hubli Tigers won by 6 wickets with 9 balls to spare 

Bengaluru Blasters - 188-5 in 20 overs: (Mayank Agarwal 68 off 38 balls, D Nischal 54 off 42 balls, Shubhang Hegde 29 off 18 balls, KC Cariappa 3-31, Vidwath Kaverappa 2-29) 

Hubli Tigers  -190-4 in 18.3 overs: (Md. Taha 66 off 35 balls, KL Shrijith 45 off 30 balls, Manish Pandey 35* off 22 balls, Sarfaraz Ashraf 2-34, Shubhang Hegde 1-32, Rishi Bopanna 1-33) 

Day 10, Match 2

Shivamogga Lions - 163/5 in 19.4 overs - (Nihal Ullal - 45 off 39 balls, Abhinav Manohar - 27 off 27 balls, Kranthi Kumar - 20* off 13 balls, S Shivaraj – 16* off 7 balls, Monish Reddy - 2/28, Kushaal Wadhwani - 1/10, Jagadeesha Suchith - 1/11)