How Did Bhopal Leopards Stage a Dramatic Win Over Rewa Jaguars?

Gwalior, June 23 (NationPress) In a match that will be remembered as one of the most thrilling comebacks in this season of the Madhya Pradesh League, the Bhopal Leopards achieved a remarkable three-wicket victory over the league leaders, Rewa Jaguars, earning their spot in the MPL 2025 Final.

The dramatic finish was fueled by an unbeaten partnership of 65 runs between Madhav Tiwari and Kamal Tripathi, who successfully chased down a challenging target of 177 runs in just 18.5 overs at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium on Monday.

In pursuit of 177 runs, Bhopal found themselves struggling at 115/7 in the 16th over. Their top order faltered under pressure, with both openers dismissed within the first two overs. Even their reliable middle order, including Aniket Verma, was unable to cope with the disciplined bowling attack from Rewa.

However, from the depths of despair, two unexpected heroes emerged.

Madhav Tiwari, who had limited opportunities this season due to rainouts, rose to the occasion when it mattered most. He began to accelerate at the perfect time, and then Kamal Tripathi entered the scene, shifting the momentum of the match entirely.

Tiwari ended with an impressive 65 runs off 31 balls (4 fours, 5 sixes), while Kamal scored a blistering 40 runs off just 13 balls, which included five sixes. Their counter-attack was both brutal and fearless.

Reflecting on his mindset, Madhav remarked, “I maintained a positive attitude throughout the season. I kept telling myself that when the opportunity arose, I had to secure the win for my team. Thankfully, that moment came in the semi-final, and I was able to contribute.”

Meanwhile, Kamal Tripathi’s explosive entry changed the game in an instant. His rapid-fire innings left the Rewa bowlers in disbelief and propelled the team into the finals.

“Honestly, I felt like a spectator from the non-striker's end,” Madhav shared with a smile. “The way Kamal struck those shots was extraordinary. The pitch was challenging, but he smartly utilized his reach.”

Earlier, the Rewa Jaguars opted to bat first, setting a solid score of 176/7, driven by Prithviraj Singh Tomar's 52 runs off 35 balls and several strong partnerships in the top order. However, Bhopal’s bowlers exhibited great resilience towards the end, with Gautam Raghuwanshi claiming two wickets, while Arshad Khan, Roshan Kewat, Shivang Kumar, and Kamal Tripathi each took one wicket to keep the target manageable.

Bhopal’s innings initially fell apart, and when they were seven wickets down with over 60 still required, few would have believed in their chances. But Madhav and Kamal had other plans.

Captain Arshad Khan expressed pride in his team's determination. “We faced significant challenges as four of our league matches were washed out. Today, both our batting and bowling units performed excellently. Every player in our squad can take responsibility. We promoted Madhav today because we believed he could deliver, and he truly stepped up. Kamal’s phenomenal innings made it easier,” he stated.

Discussing the decision to promote Madhav, Arshad explained, “The coaching staff and I believed that if Madhav could play around 30-35 balls, he would easily score at a strike rate of 200. Our strategy paid off significantly.”

Madhav, who has been part of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, credited that experience for helping him mentally prepare for high-pressure situations.

“Yes, the IPL has been instrumental. Being in the same dressing room as senior Indian and international players teaches invaluable lessons. Even though I didn’t get much chance to bat during the league, I remained mentally prepared,” he said.

When asked about his inspiration as a finisher, Madhav replied, “I have always admired how Ashutosh Sharma finished games, but I learned a great deal from KL Rahul, especially in terms of reading the game. That knowledge was crucial today.”

Arshad echoed Madhav’s sentiments about the IPL experience aiding players in critical moments. “The pressure in the IPL is on a different level, but knockout games like this are equally intense. Witnessing how Kamal and Madhav batted, along with how our bowlers like Shivang responded, was top-notch,” he remarked.

With this exhilarating win, the Bhopal Leopards have secured their place in the MPL 2025 Final, where they will aim to carry this momentum all the way to the championship.