Shivamogga Yodhas secured a nail-biting 1-run victory over Gulbarga Mystics through the VJD Method in a rain-affected match of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 in Hubballi. Despite a target revision to 128 in 12 overs from 181, Manish Pandey’s impressive 36 runs in 13 balls, including 23 runs in the final over, almost led to a miraculous win. This win marked a satisfying comeback for the Yodhas after suffering a heavy 95-run defeat in their previous encounter.
With this win, the Yodhas claimed their third victory out of seven matches, elevating them to the fourth position with six points. On the other hand, the Mystics, facing their fourth loss, maintained their third spot with an equal number of points. The Mystics faced continuous setbacks, struggling to keep up with the required run rate and finding themselves in a challenging position, needing 39 runs from 12 balls and 26 runs from the last six deliveries. Apart from Pandey, Macneil Noronha contributed significantly with 34 runs from 20 balls.
In the batting innings, the Yodhas posted a competitive total of 180-7, supported by crucial partnerships and valuable performances across the order. Luvnith Sisodia’s aggressive start, along with Tushar Singh’s 35 runs, set a strong foundation for the Yodhas. Despite losing key wickets in quick succession, Sujay Sateri’s unbeaten 47 and Yashovardhan Parantap’s 25 ensured a respectable total. Dhruv Prabhakar emerged as the most successful bowler for the Mystics with figures of 2-16.
