Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Sisodia-Naveen 118-run stand powers Shivamogga Yodhas past Hubli Tigers
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Shivamogga Yodhas cruised to a commanding 42-run victory over Hubli Tigers in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament on Wednesday, 24 June, powered by a blistering 118-run opening partnership between Luvnith Sisodia and MG Naveen. The win lifts Shivamogga to second place on the points table with four points from four matches.
Explosive Opening Stand Sets the Platform
Asked to bat first, Shivamogga Yodhas came out swinging, with Sisodia and Naveen plundering 73 runs in the powerplay alone before extending their partnership to 118 runs off just 61 deliveries. Sisodia struck a fluent 57 off 33 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes, while Naveen was even more destructive, hammering 75 runs laced with five fours and six sixes.
Ravichandran Keeps the Momentum Going
After Sisodia's dismissal, skipper Smaran Ravichandran walked in and barely broke stride. He combined with Naveen to add a brisk 65 runs off just 36 balls for the second wicket, contributing 37 off 25 balls with three fours and two sixes. Shivamogga Yodhas ultimately posted an imposing total of 220 for five in their allotted 20 overs. L R Kumar and Vaibhav Sharma picked up two wickets each for Hubli, conceding 30 and 48 runs respectively.
Hubli Tigers Make a Fight of It Before Collapse
Hubli Tigers began their chase with intent. Mohammed Taha (44 off 33; 6 fours, 1 six) and Hardik Raj (43 off 25; 5 fours, 3 sixes) combined for a spirited 74-run second-wicket stand, briefly raising hopes of an improbable chase. At that point, the target looked within reach.
Abhilash Shetty Breaks the Chase Open
Left-arm seamer Abhilash Shetty proved the decisive difference. He struck twice in three deliveries in his third over, removing the well-set Taha and then dismissing Abhinav Manohar off the very next ball to reduce Hubli Tigers to a precarious 98 for five. Shetty finished with figures of 4 for 25, while Mohsin Khan chipped in with 2 for 31. Despite a fighting knock from captain Mayank Agarwal, Hubli Tigers were bowled out for 178 in 19.3 overs as the required rate spiralled beyond reach.
Points Table Impact
The result is Shivamogga Yodhas' second win in four outings, moving them to second place with four points. For Hubli Tigers, it marks their first defeat of the season — their tournament opener against Coastal Kings Mangaluru had been washed out. With the round-robin phase intensifying, both sides will be eager to recalibrate ahead of their next fixtures.