Shivamogga Yodhas clinched a heart-stopping 1-run victory over Gulbarga Mystics via the VJD Method in a rain-curtailed Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 match at Hubballi on Tuesday, 30 June. The revised target of 128 runs in 12 overs — down from the original 181 — set the stage for a nail-biting finish that the Yodhas survived by the narrowest of margins.

Pandey's Blitz Falls Just Short

Manish Pandey came agonisingly close to pulling off a stunning heist for the Mystics, smashing 36 runs off just 13 balls, including 4 sixes and 1 four, with a breathtaking 23 runs off the final over. Despite his pyrotechnics, the Mystics ended on 126/7 in 12 overs, falling one run short of the revised target. Macneil Noronha had provided a solid foundation at the top with 34 runs off 20 balls, but wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving the lower order with too steep a mountain to climb — needing 39 from 12 balls and 26 from the final six.

Yodhas Post a Stiff 180

Put in to bat, Shivamogga Yodhas posted a formidable 180/7 in 20 overs, built on two crucial partnerships and contributions spread across the batting order. Wicketkeeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia once again fired at the top, sharing a 53-run second-wicket stand with Tushar Singh (35 off 27 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes) before Noronha had dismissed opener Naveen MG off the third delivery of the innings.

Sisodia scored 31 off 18 balls before falling four balls short of the powerplay, but not before lifting the Yodhas to 63/2 after six overs. His tournament tally now stands at an impressive 273 runs, including three half-centuries at a strike rate exceeding 163.

Sateri's Rescue Act Proves Decisive

When captain Smaran Ravichandran (19 off 19 balls) and Tushar Singh fell in quick succession, reducing the Yodhas to 105/5 in 12.1 overs, the innings needed a steadying hand. Sujay Sateri provided exactly that, crafting an unbeaten 47 runs in a vital 69-run sixth-wicket partnership with Yashovardhan Parantap (25 off 19 balls) off just 44 balls. For the Mystics, Dhruv Prabhakar was the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 2/16. Parantap and Ambareesh K each claimed 2 wickets with the ball for the Yodhas.

Points Table Implications

The result carries meaningful table consequences. With their third win from seven matches, the Yodhas climbed to fourth place on six points. The Mystics, suffering their fourth defeat, remained third on the same six points. Notably, this victory was sweet redemption for the Yodhas, who had suffered a heavy 95-run loss to the Mystics in their first-round encounter in Mysore.

Brief Scores: Shivamogga Yodhas 180/7 in 20 overs (Luvnith Sisodia 31, Tushar Singh 35, Sujay Sateri 47*, Yashovardhan Parantap 25; Dhruv Prabhakar 2/16) beat Gulbarga Mystics 126/7 in 12 overs (Macneil Noronha 34, Manish Pandey 36*; Yashovardhan Parantap 2/34, Ambareesh K 2/33) by 1 run (VJD Method).