Mysuru: The Season 5 of Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 was off to a colourful start with singer Vijay Prakash enthralling the audience with some of his popular numbers during the opening ceremony held at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium in Manasagangothri last evening.  

Earlier, former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny declared the tournament open. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Office-bearers and managing committee members offered floral tributes to the portrait of late. Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Waidyar, former KSCA President on the occasion.  

Picture shows singer Vijay Prakash entertaining the audience.

Following the opening ceremony, University of Mysore VC Prof. N.K. Lokanath and Roger Binny unveiled the ‘Maharaja Trophy.’ Opening ceremony also witnessed the organisers introducing the captains of all six franchises  — Bengaluru Blasters, Coastal Kings Mangaluru, Gulbarga Mystics, Hubli Tigers, Mysore Warriors & Shivamogga Yodhas — to the audience.  

University of Mysore Vice Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath, Former India Pacer and ICC Match Referee Javagal Srinath, KSCA Vice-President Sujith Somasundar, Hon. Secretary Santosh Menon, Joint Secretary B.K. Ravi, KSCA Mysuru Zone Chairman T. Ravindra, Convenor P. Srinivas Prasad, KSCA Official Spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya and other managing committee members were present on the occasion. 

Bengaluru Blasters overcome Gulbarga Mystics 

Prior to opening ceremony, the inaugural match witnessed Bengaluru Blasters clinching  victory in the last ball over Gulbarga Mystics. Having put into bat first, Gulbarga Mystics scored 201/5 in 20 overs. Prakhar Chaturvedi (64) and Aarav Mahesh (63) topped score for Gulbarga Mystics, while skipper Shubhang Hegde and Shreevathsa Acharya scalped two wickets each for Bengaluru Blasters.  

Chasing the target of 202, Bengaluru Blasters were able to achieve the winning target in last ball of the 20th over for the loss of 4 wickets. Opener Bhuvan Raju emerged as the top scorer with 56 runs and was ably helped by fellow opener Rohan Patil (31), Shubhang Hegde (36) and Praveen Dubey (32 not out). Paras Gurbax Arya scalped two wickets for Gulbarga Mystics. 

Mysore Warriors go down to Shivamogga Yodhas  

In the other match, home grown Mysore Warriors went down to Shivamogga Yodhas by 90 runs. Shivamogga Yodhas, who were invited to bat first, put on 190/8 runs in 20 overs. Openers Luvnith Sisodia (58) & Tushar Singh (33) hit 79 runs in opening partnership before Tushar was dismissed in 6.5 over by Manoj Bhandage. Later, skipper R. Smaran (33) and Harshil Dharmani (36) steadied the innings and helped Shivamogga Yodhas, amass a comfortable score of 190, at the end of their innings.  Mysore Warriors, who started their chase, lost their wickets, as none of the batters could establish themselves at the crease. They were bundled out for 100 runs in 14.5 overs. Leggie Yash Raj Punja picked up 4 wickets while Abhilash Shetty and Shreesha Achar scalped two wickets each.  

Today’s double-header will feature Coastal Kings Mangaluru Vs Hubli Tigers at 2 pm and Bengaluru Blasters Vs Shivamogga Yodhas at 7 pm.