Maharaja Trophy T20: Bhatkal's 75* steers Mysore Warriors to 3-wkt win
Synopsis
Ritesh Bhatkal walked in with Mysore Warriors sinking at 2 for 39 chasing 197 and walked off unbeaten on 75 — his 42-ball innings the sole reason the Warriors climbed out of the bottom of the Maharaja Trophy table. With two sides separated by just one point and the tournament entering its business end, this result could prove pivotal.
Key Takeaways
Ritesh Bhatkal scored an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls to steer Mysore Warriors to a 3-wicket win over Gulbarga Mystics in Hubballi on 3 July .
Warriors chased down 197 in 19.3 overs , recovering from a precarious 2 for 39 .
Thippa Reddy (51 off 26) registered his second successive half-century for the Mystics; Dhruv Prabhakar also hit 51 and Manish Pandey smashed 41* off 19 balls .
Arbind Rai (3-31) and Lavish Kaushal (3-25) were the Warriors' best bowlers; Nathan D'Mello (3-38) led the Mystics' attack.
Mysore Warriors move to fourth place on 7 points ; Gulbarga Mystics drop to 6 points after their fifth loss .
Ritesh Bhatkal's match-winning 75 not out off 42 balls powered Mysore Warriors to a tense three-wicket victory over Gulbarga Mystics in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 at Hubballi on Friday, 3 July. Chasing a stiff 197, the Warriors crossed the line in 19.3 overs, with Bhatkal's composure proving the difference in yet another high-voltage contest.
Bhatkal's Rescue Act
The 33-year-old walked in with his side wobbling at 2 for 39 and never looked back. Bhatkal remained unconquered, striking four fours and five sixes to anchor the chase against a disciplined Mystics attack. His crucial 37-run stand in 23 balls with Manoj Bhandage (24 off 15) effectively seized control of the contest and shut the door on a Mystics comeback. L R Chethan (23) and Lankesh KP (29) also contributed at the top of the order to lay a platform for Bhatkal's assault.
Mystics' Bowling Effort Falls Short
The Gulbarga Mystics' bowlers gave their side every chance. Nathan D'Mello was the pick of the attack with 3 for 38, supported by Paras Gurbax Arya (2 for 24) and Ronit More (2 for 41). Despite the early breakthroughs that reduced the Warriors to 2 for 39, the collective effort could not contain Bhatkal in full flow.
Mystics Post Competitive Total
Put in to bat, the Gulbarga Mystics recovered smartly from an early wobble at 2 for 24 in 2.4 overs to post 196 for 7 in 20 overs. The recovery was built around a fluent 56-run fourth-wicket stand in just 29 balls between Dhruv Prabhakar and Thippa Reddy. The 21-year-old Dhruv made the most of his promotion to No. 4, stroking a composed 51 off 35 balls laced with six fours and a six. Thippa Reddy (51 off 26), the Raichur-born dasher, slammed his second consecutive half-century, studded with five fours and three sixes. Manish Pandey then provided the finishing flourish with a brutal 41 not out off just 19 deliveries, featuring six fours and a six, to push the Mystics to a challenging total. Macneil Noronha chipped in with 27 at the top. For the Warriors, Arbind Rai (3 for 31) and Lavish Kaushal (3 for 25) were the standout bowlers.
Points Table Implications
The result reshuffles the standings. The Mysore Warriors, with their third win from eight matches, climb out of the bottom position to fourth place on seven points. The Gulbarga Mystics, suffering their fifth defeat, slip to six points and now sit below the Warriors in the table. The Warriors' revival in the second half of the tournament makes them a side to watch as the competition heads toward its decisive phase.
Brief Scores: Gulbarga Mystics 196/7 in 20 overs (Macneil Noronha 27, Dhruv Prabhakar 51, Thippa Reddy 51, Manish Pandey 41*; Arbind Rai 3-31, Lavish Kaushal 3-25) lost to Mysore Warriors 197/7 in 19.3 overs (L R Chethan 23, Ritesh Bhatkal 75*, Lankesh KP 29, Manoj Bhandage 24; Nathan D'Mello 3-38, Paras Gurbax Arya 2-24, Ronit More 2-41).
Point of View
Both having conceded early wickets, both relying on individual brilliance to paper over structural fragility. The Warriors' lower-order dependence on one batter to seal chases is a pattern that will be tested harder as the tournament tightens.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Mysore Warriors vs Gulbarga Mystics Maharaja Trophy T20 match?
Mysore Warriors won the match by three wickets, chasing down 197 in 19.3 overs at Hubballi on 3 July. Ritesh Bhatkal's unbeaten 75 off 42 balls was the decisive innings.
How did Ritesh Bhatkal perform in the match?
Ritesh Bhatkal scored 75 not out off 42 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes. He came in with the Warriors struggling at 2 for 39 and steered them to victory, remaining unconquered at the end.
What did Gulbarga Mystics score in the Maharaja Trophy match on 3 July?
Gulbarga Mystics posted 196 for 7 in 20 overs. Dhruv Prabhakar and Thippa Reddy both scored 51, while Manish Pandey smashed 41 not out off just 19 deliveries to boost the total.
Where do Mysore Warriors stand in the Maharaja Trophy points table after this win?
Mysore Warriors climbed to fourth place with seven points after their third win from eight matches. Gulbarga Mystics dropped to six points following their fifth defeat.
Who were the top bowlers in the Mysore Warriors vs Gulbarga Mystics match?
For Mysore Warriors, Arbind Rai (3 for 31) and Lavish Kaushal (3 for 25) were the standout bowlers. For Gulbarga Mystics, Nathan D'Mello took 3 for 38, with Paras Gurbax Arya and Ronit More picking up two wickets each.
