Bengaluru (Karnataka): The Bengaluru Blasters opened their campaign in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, with a commanding nine-wicket victory over the Gulbarga Mystics. Bengaluru’s bowlers shone in the first innings, restricting Gulbarga to 116/10 with shrewd performances. Lavish Kaushal (2/22) and Naveen MG (2/8) made early breakthroughs, while Aditya Goyal (3/43) dismantled the middle order. Bengaluru’s run chase was driven by stellar innings from Chethan LR (53) and Mayank Agarwal (47*), who guided their team to victory in just 11.2 overs.
Captain Mayank Agarwal and Chethan LR did not disappoint the massive crowd in attendance, chasing down more than half their target within the powerplay. Chethan LR brought up his half century in just 33 balls comprising five boundaries and three sixes, before he was dismissed by Vyshakh Vijaykumar in the 10th over. Mayank Agarwal, who struck six fours and a maximum in his 29 – ball knock, was joined by Bhuvan Raju (7*) as the Bengaluru Blasters romped home to finish with nine wickets and 8.4 overs to spare.
Earlier in the match, the Gulbarga Mystics had a fiery start. The opening duo of Luvnith Sisodia (14) and Devdutt Padikkal (20) raced to a 40-run partnership in just 13 balls. Sisodia’s three boundaries of the first three balls of the match set the tone, but Lavish Kaushal struck in the third over to remove him. Soon after, Padikkal was dismissed by Naveen MG, and Aneesh KV also fell to Kaushal. With the score at 56/4 at the end of the powerplay, the Mystics were reeling.