Maharaja Trophy T20: Bengaluru Blasters beat Hubli Tigers by 2 runs
Synopsis
A last-ball thriller in Hubballi saw Bengaluru Blasters survive Manvanth Kumar's explosive 60 off 22 balls to win by just two runs — their sixth victory in seven Maharaja Trophy matches. The win puts them firmly in command at the top of the table with the playoffs in sight.
Key Takeaways
Bengaluru Blasters defeated Hubli Tigers by 2 runs in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 at Hubballi on 1 July .
Rohan Patil top-scored with 64 off 38 balls; Praveen Dubey added 51 off 28 as Blasters posted 203/7 .
Manvanth Kumar blazed 60 off just 22 balls for Hubli Tigers, who needed 5 off the final delivery but fell short at 201/7 .
Nischith Rao took 3/27 and Vidwath Kaverappa claimed 2/55 to seal the win for the Blasters.
The result is Bengaluru Blasters' sixth win in seven games , lifting them to 12 points at the top of the standings.
Hubli Tigers have now suffered their third defeat of the tournament.
Bengaluru Blasters held their nerve in a nail-biting finish to defeat Hubli Tigers by just two runs in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Tournament at Hubballi on Wednesday, 1 July, strengthening their grip on the top of the standings. Half-centuries from Rohan Patil and Praveen Dubey, combined with a three-wicket haul from Nischith Rao, proved the difference in a contest that went down to the final delivery.
Blasters Build a Competitive Total
Bengaluru Blasters posted 203/7 in their allotted 20 overs, anchored by a fluent 64 off 38 balls from Rohan Patil and a punishing 51 off 28 from Praveen Dubey. The innings gained early momentum through a 70-run second-wicket stand between Rohan and Samit Dravid, who contributed 32 off 23 deliveries.
Rohan and Dubey then stitched a further 51-run partnership to push the total past the 200-mark. Late fireworks came from Shivraj, who smashed 23 runs off just 7 balls to give the Blasters a formidable finish. For Hubli Tigers, Vaibhav Sharma was the standout bowler with 3/38, supported by Abhishek Ahlawat (2/39).
Tigers Mount a Stunning Chase
Chasing 204 for victory, Hubli Tigers mounted a remarkable fightback. Aneeshwar Gautam (34 off 23) and Shivkumar Rakshith (41 off 30) laid the platform, before Manvanth Kumar threatened to steal the match with a blistering 60 off just 22 balls. Abhinav Manohar chipped in with 21 off 15 to keep the Tigers in the hunt.
Needing five runs off the final delivery, the Tigers ultimately fell short, finishing on 201/7 as the dismissals of Manohar and Manvanth at critical junctures proved decisive. Nischith Rao led the Blasters' bowling with 3/27, while Vidwath Kaverappa chipped in with 2/55.
Standings and Tournament Context
The victory was Bengaluru Blasters' sixth win in seven matches, taking them to 12 points and consolidating their position at the summit of the Maharaja Trophy table. Their only loss this campaign came against the Mysore Warriors. Prior wins have come against Gulbarga Mystics, Shivamogga Yodhas (twice), and Coastal Kings Mangaluru (twice).
For Hubli Tigers, this was their third defeat of the tournament, dealing a blow to their own playoff ambitions. With the Blasters now pulling clear at the top, the race for the remaining playoff spots is set to intensify in the matches ahead.
Brief scores: Bengaluru Blasters 203/7 in 20 overs (Rohan Patil 64, Praveen Dubey 51, Samit Dravid 32; Vaibhav Sharma 3/38, Abhishek Ahlawat 2/39) beat Hubli Tigers 201/7 in 20 overs (Manvanth Kumar 60, Shivkumar Rakshith 41, Aneeshwar Gautam 34; Nischith Rao 3/27, Vidwath Kaverappa 2/55) by 2 runs.
Point of View
Even when a Manvanth Kumar blitz nearly rewrote the script, speaks to genuine squad depth. The Tigers, however, will rue the dismissals at the death; a chase of 204 was very much alive until the final over. For the tournament, the Blasters pulling clear at 12 points with a game in hand tightens the playoff race for every other side, and the pressure on mid-table teams to win consecutive games is now acute.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Bengaluru Blasters vs Hubli Tigers Maharaja Trophy match?
Bengaluru Blasters defeated Hubli Tigers by 2 runs in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 match played at Hubballi on 1 July. Hubli Tigers needed 5 runs off the final ball but finished on 201/7, falling short of the Blasters' total of 203/7.
Who were the top performers for Bengaluru Blasters?
Rohan Patil top-scored with 64 off 38 balls and Praveen Dubey contributed 51 off 28 with the bat. With the ball, Nischith Rao claimed 3/27 and Vidwath Kaverappa took 2/55.
How did Hubli Tigers come close to winning the match?
Manvanth Kumar's explosive 60 off just 22 balls, supported by Shivkumar Rakshith (41 off 30) and Aneeshwar Gautam (34 off 23), kept the Tigers in the chase until the last delivery. The dismissals of Abhinav Manohar and Manvanth at crucial stages ultimately cost them the match.
Where do Bengaluru Blasters stand in the Maharaja Trophy table after this win?
The victory is Bengaluru Blasters' sixth in seven matches, taking them to 12 points at the top of the Maharaja Trophy standings. Their only defeat so far has been against Mysore Warriors.
What is the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Tournament?
The Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 is a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket tournament organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), featuring teams representing different cities and regions of Karnataka. It serves as a key platform for domestic Karnataka cricketers ahead of national selection cycles.
