Experienced batsman Manish Pandey showcased his skill with an unbeaten 43 runs to guide Gulbarga Mystics to a thrilling three-wicket win over Mysuru Warriors in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Tournament in Hubbali. Pandey’s composed innings helped his team chase down a target of 156 with seven balls to spare after a shaky start. Ritesh Bhatkal’s 4 for 20 spell for Mysuru Warriors created a tense moment during the chase, but Pandey’s calmness ensured victory for the Mystics.
Batting at number six, Pandey’s 43 off 31 deliveries, including five boundaries, was crucial in steadying the Mystics’ innings. B R Sharath’s quick 49 off 27 balls also played a significant role in the chase, providing early momentum. Despite Bhatkal’s efforts to bring the Warriors back into the game with his bowling, the Mystics held their nerve to secure the win.
Mysuru Warriors, put in to bat first, struggled to convert their starts into a competitive total, finishing at 155 for seven. Openers LR Chethan and S U Karthik gave a decent start, but it was K P Karthikeya’s fighting 63 off 43 balls that anchored their innings. However, Gulbarga Mystics’ disciplined bowling restricted the Warriors from posting a challenging score.
With this victory, Gulbarga Mystics climbed to the second spot on the points table with three wins in five matches, while Mysuru Warriors faced their fourth defeat in the tournament, remaining at the bottom of the standings.
