Mysore/Mysuru: The fourth edition of KSCA Maharaja Trophy-2025, which commenced on Aug. 11 at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium in Manasagangothri, concluded yesterday with Mangaluru Dragons defeating Hubli Tigers by 14 runs (VJD method) in the finals of this year’s tournament. 

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Hubli Tigers scored 154/8 in 20 overs. K. Shrijith top scored with 52 runs while Mohd. Taha scored 27 runs. For Mangaluru Dragons, Sachin Shinde picked up 3 wickets, followed by Macneil Noronha and Shreevathsa Acharya who scalped two wickets each.

In reply, Mangaluru Dragons seemed to be in a hurry at the top of the order. Openers Lochan Gowda and B.R. Sharath were striking it well, and finding the gaps at will in the powerplay. Whilst Sharath was the more aggressive amongst the two, it was Lochan Gowda, who was the first to fall for 18 off 17 balls, cleaned up by Ritesh Bhatkal, as the powerplay ended at 55/1. Sharath at the other end though wasn’t letting up, smashed a couple of sixes in the next over, and was racing on towards a fifty.

However, he fell just short, getting 49 from 35 balls, as he became Ritesh Bhatkal’s second wicket in the 10th over. And mid-way through the chase, the Mangaluru Dragons were 81/2. A few deliveries later, rain made an appearance with the Mangaluru Dragons 85/2 in 10.4 overs.

The rain refused to relent, and eventually, the Mangaluru Dragons won by VJD method, as they were 15 runs ahead of the par score when rain stopped play.

B.R. Sharath of Mangaluru Dragons was declared Man of the Match. Hubli Tigers captain Devdutt Padikkal won the Man of the Tournament award.

Brief Scores: Hubli Tigers 154/8 in 20 overs (K.L. Shrijith 52, Mohd. Taha 27; Sachin Shinde 3/30) lost to Mangaluru Dragons 85/2 in 10.4 overs (B.R. Sharath 49; Ritesh Bhatkal 2/14) (VJD method)

VJD Method: The V. Jayadevan system, also known as VJD method, is a method for calculating target scores in interrupted One-Day and Twenty20 cricket matches. The method was devised by V. Jayadevan, an Indian engineer. It can be used instead of DLS method.