Can Chethan Lead Bengaluru Blasters to Victory Over Mangaluru Dragons?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chethan LR displayed exceptional batting skills with a score of 74.
- Mangaluru Dragons faced a challenging defeat, ending their unbeaten run.
- Rain played a significant role in altering the match dynamics.
- The partnership between Lochan Gowda and Sharath BR was pivotal for the Dragons.
- Bengaluru Blasters demonstrated resilience under pressure.
Mysore, Aug 17 (NationPress) Chethan LR played a remarkable innings, scoring 74 runs off 46 balls, leading the Bengaluru Blasters to a thrilling three-wicket victory over the Mangaluru Dragons and ending their unbeaten streak in the Maharaja Trophy during a rain-affected match on Sunday.
Due to rain, the match was shortened to 19 overs per side, and the Dragons' explosive opening pair, Lochan Gowda (49) and Sharath BR (45), set the stage with a spectacular 90-run partnership off just 45 balls.
The duo scored an impressive 82 runs in a rain-reduced 5.4-over powerplay, achieving the highest score in this phase for the season. However, Mohsin Khan (2/26) made crucial breakthroughs, dismissing both openers. Prateek Jain (2/45) also contributed by removing Macneil Noronha and Aadarsh Prajwal, while Thippa Reddy fell to Naveen MG, leaving the Dragons in a precarious position at 121/4 in 13.4 overs.
Despite a late innings boost from Shivaraj S (33 not out off 15 balls), the total of 174/6 was not enough against a Blasters side that thrived on Chethan's stellar performance at the forefront.
Chethan, alongside Rohan Patil (26 off 13 balls), propelled the Blasters to 69/1 by the end of the powerplay. Although Patil was dismissed lbw by Noronha in the fifth over, Chethan continued his momentum, reaching a half-century in just 30 balls.
Mayank Agarwal contributed a quick 20 runs off nine balls but was dismissed by Sachin Shinde. Bhuvan Raju (14) then partnered with Chethan in a vital 55-run partnership to stabilize the innings. After Bhuvan's wicket fell to Shreyas Gopal in the 13th over, the Blasters found themselves at 129/3.
Suraj Ahuja added 21 runs off 12 balls before Chethan was out, caught by Shreevathsa Acharya in the 16th over. Although the Blasters faced some tense moments towards the end, Naveen MG (4 not out) and Vidyadhar Patil (6 runs) successfully completed the chase in the final over.
Brief Scores: Mangaluru Dragons 174/6 in 19 overs (Lochan Gowda 49, Sharath BR 45; Prateek Jain 2-45, Mohsin Khan 2-26) lost to Bengaluru Blasters 175/7 in 18.3 overs (Chethan LR 74, Rohan Patil 26; Kranthi Kumar 2-28) by three wickets (via VJD Method).