The final two matches of the Maharaja Trophy came with great importance in the context of qualifying for the next stage. In the first match, GMY had the opportunity to move to the top while the second one was all out a do-or-die game for both teams.
Let’s look at how the two games panned out.
Match 29: Gulbarga Mystics vs Shivamogga Strikers
The second-placed GMY went head-to-head against bottom team SS. SS had no expectations from the game as they had already been ousted from the next stage. It was just a practice match for the team involved. SS wanted to end their poor campaign on a high and that’s what they did.
After winning the toss, SS decided to bowl first, a decision that proved fruitful for the team. In 20 overs GMY could only make 118/8. None of the batters got going as the team failed to put a fighting total on the board. SS were given a target of 54 in seven overs, which they chased down with three deliveries left.
Brief Score:
GMY: 118/9
Ritesh Bhatkal: 38(24), Jeswanth Acharya: 22(20)
Pranav Bhatia: 2-11-1, Ritesh Bhatkal: 1-8-1
SS: 54/4
Krishnamurthy Siddharth: 18(12), Avinash D: 11(6)
Avinash D: 4-24-3, KC Cariappa: 4-22-2
Match 30: Mangalore United vs Hubli Tigers
The last match of the league stage was probably one of the most important. Both Mangalore and Hubli were on eight points and needed a win to go to the next stage. It was HT who won the high-stakes Maharaja Trophy match and entered the top four after defeating MU comprehensively.
The match started with HT winning the toss and deciding to bowl first. Coming onto the bat, the MU team got off to a poor start as they lost the first wicket at just 13 runs. Three batters however namely, Ravikumar Samarth (31), Amit Verma (47) and Abhinav Manohar (69) took the MU team to a good score of 184/5.
Coming onto chase the target captain Luvnith Sisodia played an impressive knock of 80 off of 40 deliveries to give a great start to his team. The likes of Mohammed Taha (34) and B U Shivkumar (34) also came good with the bat to take their team towards the finish line. Liyan Khan (5) and Tushar Singh (12) took the team across the finish line with a six on the fifth ball of the 18th over.
Brief Score:
MU: 184/5
Abhinav Manohar: 69(30), Amit Verma: 47(34)
Vyshak Vijay Kumar: 4-36-2, Shashi Kumar: 3-30-1
HT: 189/4
Luvnith Sisodia: 80(40), Mohammed Taha: 34(20)
Gneshwar Naveen: 3-22-2, B U Shivkumar: 4-28-1
