Bengaluru: The Chinnaswamy Stadium roared to life on Sunday as the Mysore Warriors clinched a resounding 45-run victory over the Bengaluru Blasters, securing the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2024 title in a high-octane finale.
It was a night of spectacular cricket, with Mysore’s captain Karun Nair leading from the front to script an unforgettable triumph.
Nair’s superb innings of 66 off 45 balls was the cornerstone of Mysore’s imposing total of 207/4. His knock, embellished with 6 fours and 3 sixes, was a masterclass in aggressive yet calculated batting.
Nair’s skillful manipulation of the field and his ability to find the boundary at will set the tempo early on, laying the foundation for the Warriors’ onslaught. He was eventually dismissed by MG Naveen, caught by LR Chethan, but not before his efforts had put Mysore in a commanding position.
However, it was Manoj Bhandage’s explosive cameo that truly ignited the Mysore innings. Walking in during the final overs, Bhandage unleashed a breathtaking display of power-hitting, smashing 44 off just 13 balls. His fireworks included 5 towering sixes and 2 boundaries, with a particularly brutal 19th over against Santok Singh yielding 24 runs. His audacious stroke play turned the tide decisively in Mysore’s favor, pushing the total beyond Bengaluru’s grasp.
Jagadeesha Suchith added to the late flurry with a quick 7 off 6 balls, while Bengaluru’s bowlers, including Santok Singh, Lavish Kaushal, and MG Naveen, were left struggling to stem the flow of runs. Despite picking up key wickets, including that of Nair, Naveen’s 4-over spell was expensive, conceding 44 runs.
Chasing 208, Bengaluru’s batting lineup crumbled under pressure, stifled by Mysore’s disciplined bowling attack. Kranthi Kumar’s unbeaten 39 off 21 balls offered a flicker of resistance, featuring 3 sixes and 2 boundaries, but it wasn’t enough to mount a serious challenge. Frequent dismissals, including key batsmen faltering at crucial junctures, meant Bengaluru could only manage 162/8 at
the end of their 20 overs.
Mysore’s bowlers delivered a well-rounded performance, with Vidyadhar Patil’s crucial 3/19 and Krishnappa Gowtham’s 2/23 leading the charge. Patil’s early breakthroughs and Gowtham’s middle-over control proved pivotal, consistently keeping Bengaluru on the back foot. Jagadeesha Suchith’s economical spell added to Bengaluru’s woes, and Karthik CA’s timely dismissal of MG Naveen, who contributed a brisk 17 off 12, extinguished the Blasters’ last hopes of a comeback.
Earlier, Mysore’s innings got off to a shaky start with the early loss of Karthik CA, but the partnership between SU Karthik and Nair steadied the ship. Karthik’s composed 71 off 44 balls, punctuated by 7 fours and 3 sixes, provided the backbone for Mysore’s total. His understanding with Nair was instrumental, as they tactfully maneuvered the innings into a position of dominance.
The emphatic win not only handed Mysore the Maharaja Trophy but also cemented their status as a formidable force in Karnataka’s T20 circuit. The triumph at Chinnaswamy was a testament to their tactical acumen, fearless approach, and the sheer firepower they bring to the format. For fans, it was an exhilarating chapter in Mysore’s cricketing journey, one that showcased their brilliance under pressure and set the stage for future glories.
As the celebrations continued into the night, Mysore’s players and supporters alike reveled in a victory that was as much about teamwork and strategy as it was about individual brilliance. For Bengaluru, the final proved a hard lesson in the unforgiving nature of T20 cricket, where moments
of magic can turn the tide in an instant, and Mysore’s Warriors delivered that magic in spades.
