T20 Mumbai League 2026: Deshpande, Sutar fire Maratha Royals into final
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
MSC Maratha Royals booked their place in the T20 Mumbai League 2026 final with a hard-fought three-wicket victory over North Mumbai Panthers in the second semifinal at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, 11 June. The defending champions will now face Arcs Andheri in the title clash on Saturday at 7 PM.
Deshpande Dismantles Panthers
Tushar Deshpande was the wrecker-in-chief with the ball, registering outstanding figures of 4/21 to skittle the Ajinkya Rahane-led Panthers for 148 in their allotted 20 overs. Abhigyan Kundu top-scored with 40, while Anish Chaudhery added 33, but the Panthers never found the acceleration they needed in the back half of the innings.
Sutar Steers Royals Home
Chasing 149, the Royals made steady if not spectacular progress before Chinmay Sutar took the reins. His unbeaten 62 off 49 balls proved the match-winning knock, holding firm as wickets fell around him. Ayaz Khan contributed a handy 32, and despite Pravesh Pal's three-wicket haul (3/27) threatening a late twist, the Royals crossed the line in 19.5 overs at 152/7, sealing a second successive final appearance.
Dube's Blitz Sends Andheri Through
Earlier in the day, Arcs Andheri secured their own final berth with a five-wicket win over Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs in the first semifinal at the same venue. The Tigers posted 150/7 in 20 overs, anchored by Sarfaraz Khan's aggressive 34 off 17 balls and Jay Bista's measured 35 off 33. Ashutosh Ghagre was Andheri's standout bowler with figures of 2/21.
Chasing 151, Andheri stumbled early when Musheer Khan was dismissed for a duck with just one run on the board. Divyaansh Sksena and Arjun Tendulkar steadied the innings with a 41-run partnership for the second wicket before Shams Mulani struck twice — removing Tendulkar for 13 and then Sksena for a brisk 34 off 16 balls. Ajit Yadav then delivered a crucial double blow in the 13th over, reducing Andheri to 92/5.
With the match in the balance, skipper Shivam Dube took charge. He struck an unbeaten 45 off 26 deliveries, smashing five sixes and a four, stitching an unbroken 59-run partnership with Gaurav Jathar (11 not out) to guide Andheri home with nine balls to spare at 151/5 in 18.3 overs.
Final Preview
The stage is set for a mouthwatering final between the defending champions MSC Maratha Royals and a resurgent Arcs Andheri side on Saturday at Wankhede Stadium, with the first ball scheduled at 7 PM. Royals will fancy their chances on the back of a settled batting unit, while Andheri will look to Dube's finishing power and a varied bowling attack to claim the title.