MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026: Kartik Parihar's 71 not enough as Gwalior Cheetahs exit playoffs
Synopsis
Three hat-tricks in two days, a stunning six-wicket haul, and a playoff exit — the MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026 delivered a dramatic midweek burst. Kartik Parihar's 71 was a standout cameo, but Gwalior Cheetahs' campaign ends with one game to spare, while Kumar Kartikeya's six-for has emerged as the tournament's defining bowling performance.
Key Takeaways
Gwalior Cheetahs were eliminated from MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026 playoffs after a 38-run (VJD Method) loss to Indore Pink Panthers on 23 June .
Kartik Parihar top-scored with 71 off 46 balls (11 fours, 1 six); captain Rajat Patidar added 37 off 19 .
Indore Pink Panthers posted 221/3 in 20 overs ; Gwalior replied with 157/7 in 17.1 overs .
Naveen Chouhan (Rewa Jaguars), Aryan Pandey (Ujjain Falcons), and Kumar Kartikeya (Royal Nimar Eagles) all took hat-tricks in the tournament.
Kumar Kartikeya finished with 6 wickets as Bhopal Leopards were bowled out for 107 ; Eagles won by 8 wickets .
Gwalior play their final league match against Royal Nimar Eagles on 24 June .
Gwalior Cheetahs were eliminated from playoff contention in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 after suffering a 38-run defeat (VJD Method) to Indore Pink Panthers at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Tuesday, 23 June. Despite a spirited batting display, the Cheetahs could not overhaul the Panthers' imposing total, ending their knockout hopes with one league game remaining.
Kartik Parihar's Knock Stands Out
Opener Kartik Parihar was the brightest spot for Gwalior, crafting a fluent 71 off 46 deliveries, laced with 11 fours and a six. After an early wicket unsettled the top order, Parihar steadied the innings through calculated partnerships. Captain Rajat Patidar injected urgency with a brisk 37 off 19 balls, but the duo's combined effort could not prevent the Cheetahs from finishing at 157/7 in 17.1 overs — well short of their target under the VJD Method.
Panthers Post Commanding Total
Batting first, Indore Pink Panthers posted a formidable 221/3 in 20 overs, setting a target that ultimately proved beyond Gwalior's reach. Akash Raghuwanshi was the pick of the Cheetahs' bowlers, claiming 2/40, while Parihar also contributed a wicket with the ball — underlining his all-round value to the side.
A Tournament Lit Up by Hat-Tricks
The Scindia Cup 2026 has been marked by a rare hat-trick burst, with three bowlers achieving the feat in quick succession. Rewa Jaguars pacer Naveen Chouhan became the first to do so this season, dismissing Ishan Afridi, Akash Singh, and Saumy Pandey off consecutive deliveries against Gwalior Cheetahs. Chouhan finished with extraordinary figures of 3/11, helping restrict the Cheetahs to 215/9 and playing a decisive role in Rewa's successful defence of 239.
Ujjain Falcons spinner Aryan Pandey then claimed the second hat-trick of the tournament against Bundelkhand Bulls. He trapped Goutam Joshi lbw, clean-bowled Omkarnath Singh next ball, and on the hat-trick delivery, Harshit Parsai miscued a big shot that was pouched by Darshan Rathore near the boundary.
The third hat-trick came from Royal Nimar Eagles spinner Kumar Kartikeya, who ran through Bhopal Leopards in a rain-curtailed encounter. Kartikeya dismissed Pawan Nirwani, Pranjul Puri, and Anurag Malviya off successive deliveries, eventually finishing with a remarkable six-wicket haul as the Leopards were dismissed for just 107. The Eagles sealed an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
What Comes Next for Gwalior
With their playoff dream extinguished, the Gwalior Cheetahs will close out their campaign against Royal Nimar Eagles on 24 June. Though the result carries no knockout implications, the team will be keen to sign off with a performance that reflects the promise they have shown across the MPL 2026 season.
Point of View
Even with Parihar in fine touch, could not sustain a chase under VJD conditions. The more compelling story from this phase of the tournament, however, is the hat-trick hat-trick: three in two days signals a pitch-and-conditions dynamic that is heavily favouring bowlers in certain fixtures, a trend the remaining teams will need to account for tactically. Kumar Kartikeya's six-wicket haul in a rain-shortened game may well be the performance of the tournament so far, yet it has been somewhat overshadowed by the Cheetahs' exit narrative.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gwalior Cheetahs get eliminated from MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026?
Gwalior Cheetahs were knocked out of playoff contention after losing to Indore Pink Panthers by 38 runs under the VJD Method at Holkar Stadium on 23 June 2026. The defeat left them with no mathematical path to the knockout stage.
How did Kartik Parihar perform in the match against Indore Pink Panthers?
Kartik Parihar top-scored for Gwalior Cheetahs with 71 off 46 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and a six. Despite his anchoring knock and a brisk 37 from captain Rajat Patidar, the team fell short at 157/7 in 17.1 overs.
Who took hat-tricks in the MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026?
Three bowlers claimed hat-tricks in quick succession — Naveen Chouhan of Rewa Jaguars (3/11 vs Gwalior Cheetahs), Aryan Pandey of Ujjain Falcons (vs Bundelkhand Bulls), and Kumar Kartikeya of Royal Nimar Eagles (vs Bhopal Leopards, finishing with 6 wickets).
What was Kumar Kartikeya's performance against Bhopal Leopards?
Royal Nimar Eagles spinner Kumar Kartikeya took a hat-trick — dismissing Pawan Nirwani, Pranjul Puri, and Anurag Malviya off consecutive deliveries — and finished with six wickets as Bhopal Leopards were bowled out for 107. The Eagles won by eight wickets.
What is Gwalior Cheetahs' next match in MPL 2026?
Gwalior Cheetahs play their final league fixture against Royal Nimar Eagles on 24 June 2026. The match carries no playoff implications for Gwalior but gives the team an opportunity to end their season on a positive note.
