How Did Gulbarga Mystics Defeat Hubli Tigers by Four Wickets?

Mysuru, Aug 19 (NationPress) The Gulbarga Mystics achieved a nail-biting four-wicket victory over the Hubli Tigers during a thrilling run chase, reviving their chances in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 at the SDNR Wadiyar stadium.

Key contributions came from Smaran Ravichandran (52 runs off 39 balls) and Prajwal Pavan (37 runs off 28 balls), enabling the Mystics to complete their chase with just two balls to spare. Meanwhile, Shashi Kumar K and Lavish Kaushal both claimed two wickets each, limiting the Tigers to a total of 158 runs in their 20 overs.

The Mystics' chase began poorly, with Ritesh Bhatkal of the Tigers striking early to dismiss Nikin Jose for just four runs in the opening over. Siddharth KV followed soon after, caught in a stunning display by Padikkal off Cariappa's bowling.

With a dismal score of 12 for 2 in just 2.1 overs, the Mystics found themselves on the back foot, as Luvnith Sisodia fell in the same over, thanks to an exceptional catch by Samarth Nagaraj at square leg. Nagaraj's catch earned him the title of Catch of the Match, brilliantly executed just inches above the ground.

Losing three wickets for a mere 15 runs was not the start the Mystics had envisioned. Nevertheless, Smaran Ravichandran emerged as the savior of the innings, scoring a valiant 52 runs off 39 balls, featuring three sixes and one four. He received solid support from Prajwal Pavan, who contributed a steady 37 off 28 balls, resulting in a vital 71-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Ultimately, Samarth Nagaraj ended their partnership by dismissing Pavan in the 11th over, while Smaran fell to Yash Raj Punja in the 15th over, caught by Manavath Kumar.

The Tigers' chances diminished further when they dropped several catches during the death overs, which allowed Bangalore Mohith and Praveen Dubey to accelerate the scoring, amassing 41 runs off just 27 balls.

Mohith's unbeaten 26 runs off 18 balls, featuring two sixes, played a crucial role in boosting the run rate, while Dubey contributed 19 runs. Though Dubey was bowled by Punja in the 19th over, Vyshak Vijaykumar sealed the victory, securing two points for the Mystics.

Earlier in the match, the Mystics' choice to bowl first after winning the toss proved pivotal, as they successfully held the Tigers to a modest total of 158 for 8 in their 20 overs. The Mystics claimed three significant wickets during the power play, putting the Tigers under considerable pressure right from the start.

The first wicket to fall was Prakhar Chaturvedi, dismissed for eight runs by Prithviraj Shekhawat, caught by Prajwal Pavan. A miscommunication between Mohd. Taha and Devdutt Padikkal resulted in the skipper's dismissal for a mere seven runs.

With the score at 37 for 2 after just five overs, the pressure mounted on Taha, who had an impressive season with two centuries to his name but struggled tonight, falling for just 17 runs to Shashi Kumar, caught by Siddharth, leaving the Tigers in a precarious position at 42 for 3.

Despite a brief struggle to form a partnership, Vijaya Basavaraj Raj fell for only 9 runs, another wicket for Shashi Kumar in a thrilling hit wicket. Krishnan Shrijith stepped up to rescue the Tigers with a solid knock of 52 runs off 45 balls, supported by wicketkeeper Shivkumar Rakshith, who scored 36 runs off 22 balls.

Their partnership of 56 runs came to an end in the 15th over when Monish Reddy claimed Rakshith's wicket, caught by Luvnith Sisodia. However, with Shrijith still at the crease, the Tigers added another 39 runs, with Manvath Kumar partnering bravely with Shrijith, who had battled illness recently and missed several games.

Manvath contributed 10 runs before being run out, marking the last wicket to fall as both Shrijith and Ritesh Bhatkal lost their wickets to Lavish Kaushal in the 19th over. Ultimately, the total proved too low to defend.

Brief scores:

Hubli Tigers 158/8 in 20 overs (Krishnan Shrijith 52 runs off 45 balls, Rakshit Shivkumar 36 runs off 22 balls, Shashikumar Kamble 2/19, Lavish Kaushal 2/15)

Gulbarga Mystics 159/6 in 19.4 overs (Smaran R 52 runs off 39 balls, Prajwal Pavan 37 runs off 28 balls, Mohit BA 26* runs off 18 balls, KC Cariappa 2/28, Yashraj Punja 2/33)