Bengaluru Blasters reach Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 final, beat Coastal Kings by 12 runs
Synopsis
Staring down a five-wicket collapse at 52/5, Bengaluru Blasters captain Shubhang Hegde and Praveen Dubey conjured an unbeaten 133-run sixth-wicket stand to gate-crash the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 final — a recovery that turned a near-certain exit into a 12-run victory over Coastal Kings Mangaluru at Chinnaswamy.
Key Takeaways
Bengaluru Blasters defeated Coastal Kings Mangaluru by 12 runs in Qualifier 1 of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 on 11 July at M.
Chinnaswamy Stadium .
Shubhang Hegde (65*) and Praveen Dubey (69*) added an unbeaten 133 runs off 74 balls after the Blasters slipped to 52/5 .
Samit Dravid took 3/30 to anchor the Blasters' bowling effort in defence.
Suraj Ahuja hit an unbeaten 52 off 29 balls for Coastal Kings but the target proved too steep.
Coastal Kings Mangaluru will face Shivamogga Yodhas in Qualifier 2 on Saturday for the second final berth.
Bengaluru Blasters advanced to the final of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament on 11 July, defeating Coastal Kings Mangaluru by 12 runs in Qualifier 1 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. A match-saving 133-run unbeaten sixth-wicket stand between captain Shubhang Hegde and Praveen Dubey rescued the Blasters from a precarious 52/5, before Samit Dravid's three-wicket haul sealed the win.
Blasters' Recovery from the Brink
Put into bat, the Blasters were reduced to 52/5 inside the eighth over as Vasuki Koushik and Santokh Singh ran through the top order. Koushik dismissed Bhuvan Raju and Shivraj S, while Santokh accounted for Rohan Patil and Wahid Faizan Khan, leaving the league leaders in serious trouble.
What followed was one of the tournament's most remarkable recoveries. Hegde and Dubey rebuilt patiently before shifting gears dramatically, adding 133 unbeaten runs off just 74 deliveries — including 78 runs in the final five overs — to post a competitive 185/5.
Hegde and Dubey Star with the Bat
Praveen Dubey was the chief aggressor, registering his second half-century of the tournament on his way to an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls, laced with six fours and two sixes. Captain Shubhang Hegde played the anchor role to perfection, finishing unbeaten on 65 off 52 deliveries with two fours and three sixes. Koushik ended with 2/26 and Santokh with 2/45.
Coastal Kings Fall Short Despite Late Surge
Chasing 186, Coastal Kings were rocked early when Samit Dravid removed Aadharsh Prajwal and Vidwath Kaverappa dismissed a dangerous Karun Nair for just 2, leaving the Kings at 23/2 inside the powerplay.
Nikin Jose and Prajwal Pavan steadied the innings with a 50-run third-wicket stand, before Dravid returned to remove Jose for a well-made 45, reducing the Kings to 88/4. Siddharth Akhil (37 off 24 balls, two fours, three sixes) and Suraj Ahuja then injected urgency with a brisk 64-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Ahuja remained unbeaten on 52 off 29 deliveries — hitting six fours and two sixes — but with 34 required off the last two overs, Dubey delivered the decisive blow by dismissing Dheeraj Gowda in the 19th over. The Coastal Kings finished on 173/6, falling short by 12 runs. Dravid's final figures read 3/30.
What Happens Next
With the Blasters confirmed in the final, Coastal Kings Mangaluru will now face Shivamogga Yodhas in Qualifier 2 on Saturday for the remaining spot in the final. The Blasters will have the advantage of additional rest ahead of the title clash.
Brief Scores: Bengaluru Blasters 185/5 in 20 overs (Shubhang Hegde 65*, Praveen Dubey 69*; Vasuki Koushik 2/26, Santokh Singh 2/45) beat Coastal Kings Mangaluru 173/6 in 20 overs (Nikin Jose 45, Siddharth Akhil 37; Suraj Ahuja 52*, Samit Dravid 3/30) by 12 runs.
Point of View
But for the composure under pressure it reveals. Hegde and Dubey's 133-run stand in a knockout match at Chinnaswamy will be a reference point for this squad going into the final. What the match also showed is that Coastal Kings' middle order, while capable of a fight, lacks the finishing power to close out steep chases — Ahuja's unbeaten 52 was brilliant but ultimately solitary. Shivamogga Yodhas now know exactly what Coastal Kings' pressure points are heading into Qualifier 2.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Qualifier 1?
Bengaluru Blasters won Qualifier 1 of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, defeating Coastal Kings Mangaluru by 12 runs at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 11 July. The Blasters have secured their place in the final.
How did Bengaluru Blasters recover from 52/5?
Captain Shubhang Hegde (65*) and Praveen Dubey (69*) added an unbeaten 133-run sixth-wicket partnership off just 74 deliveries, including 78 runs in the final five overs, to lift the Blasters from 52/5 to a competitive 185/5.
What were Samit Dravid's figures in the match?
Samit Dravid took 3 wickets for 30 runs, dismissing Aadharsh Prajwal, Nikin Jose (45), and Dheeraj Gowda to play a decisive role in the Blasters' 12-run win.
Who will play in Qualifier 2 of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20?
Coastal Kings Mangaluru will face Shivamogga Yodhas in Qualifier 2 on Saturday, with the winner earning the second spot in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 final.
What were the top individual performances in the match?
Praveen Dubey top-scored with an unbeaten 69 off 38 balls for the Blasters, while Shubhang Hegde made 65* off 52. For Coastal Kings, Suraj Ahuja remained unbeaten on 52 off 29 balls and Nikin Jose contributed 45. Samit Dravid (3/30) and Vasuki Koushik (2/26) were the pick of the bowlers.
