The latest edition of the Maharaja Trophy began with high drama as Monish Reddy’s very first delivery turned into a nightmare — a no-ball that Lochan Gowda launched over his head for six. While the pacer redeemed himself momentarily by dismissing the opener on the fifth ball, another overstep later in the over resulted in a costly 20-run start for Mangalore Dragons. Sharath BR soon joined the fun, smashing a six and a four in the third over. Just when the Dragons seemed set for a perfect powerplay, both openers fell on consecutive deliveries, leaving them at 60/2 after six overs.
The momentum slowed in the next two overs as Gulbarga Mystics tightened the screws, eventually removing Aneesh KV to add to the pressure. However, Macneil Noronha decided to counterattack, hammering four sixes and three boundaries to reach a blistering 25-ball fifty. Aadarsh Prajwal also joined the assault with consecutive maximums in the 12th over. But the Dragons’ charge was interrupted by two quick wickets, sparking a middle-order collapse that reduced them to 150/7 with just three overs left.
Skipper Shreyas Gopal provided some late resistance with a handy 16-ball 20, guiding his side to a competitive 180/8 after their allotted 20 overs. Despite the hiccups, the Dragons had given themselves a defendable score, banking on their bowling unit to finish the job.
Gulbarga Mystics’ reply started even more aggressively, as Nikin Jose and Luvnith Sisodia smashed 21 runs in the opening over. Sisodia followed it up with a four and six off Shreyas Gopal, but the leg-spinner turned the tide by dismissing both him and Jose within four balls. From that moment on, Mangalore never let go of the momentum. Smaran Ravichandran and Bangalore Mohith also departed quickly, leaving Gulbarga wobbling at 72/4 at the halfway stage.
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Prajwal Pravan tried to hold the innings together but never found his rhythm, eventually running himself out after a frustrating 25 off 25 balls. By then, the required equation had ballooned to 85 runs in the last five overs, and the chase fizzled out without drama. Gulbarga Mystics eventually fell 33 runs short, handing Mangalore Dragons a winning start to their campaign.