Maharaja Trophy 2025, Match 21 Review: Shreyas Gopal leads Mangaluru Dragons to 52-run triumph over Mysore Warriors

Mangaluru Dragons’ skipper Shreyas Gopal led from the front with a commanding all-round performance as his team secured a convincing 52-run win over the Mysore Warriors in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20.

After being asked to bat first, the Dragons posted a competitive total of 173/7 in their 20 overs. The innings began cautiously, with pacer Prasidh Krishna keeping things tight by conceding only 10 runs in his first two overs. However, Sharath BR (25 off 16) turned the momentum in the Dragons’ favor with two sixes and a four off spinner Shikhar Shetty, helping the side reach 53/0 at the end of the powerplay.

The middle overs saw a dip in the scoring as Kushaal Wadhwani and Yashovardhan Parantap triggered a collapse, claiming four wickets in four overs. Wadhwani dismissed Sharath BR and Aneesh KV (6), while Parantap removed Lochan Gowda (34 off 31) and Aadarsh Prajwal (5), leaving the Dragons at 76/4 at the halfway stage.

Macneil Noronha then turned the tide with a blistering 31 off 17 balls, smashing four sixes, including three in a single over off Wadhwani. He shared a 41-run stand with captain Shreyas Gopal (29 off 22) to rebuild the innings. Despite losing both set batters in the later overs, Shivraj S provided the finishing touches with a brisk cameo featuring two boundaries and two sixes, helping the Dragons finish at 173/7.

In response, the Warriors faltered early as Shreyas Gopal struck in the first over, removing Karthik SU (8). Though Karthik CA (34 off 21) responded aggressively—taking Gopal for two sixes and a four in the third over—the Dragons soon bounced back.

Ronit More dismissed Venkatesh M, while Kranthi Kumar claimed Harshil Dharmani, reducing the Warriors to 51/3 at the end of the powerplay. Gopal returned to dismantle the middle order, removing the dangerous Manish Pandey (12) and Lankesh KS (11) to finish with figures of 3/36.

The Warriors' hopes hinged on Karthik CA, but he was caught off Sachin Shinde, leaving them at 74/6 in 10 overs. A brief 30-run partnership between Yashovardhan Parantap (28) and Sharath Srinivas (14) was ended when Kranthi Kumar, continuing his fine form, dismissed both along with K Gowtham, completing a four-wicket haul.

Macneil Noronha fittingly claimed the final wicket of Shikhar Shetty (7), bundling out the Warriors for 121 in 18.3 overs.

Brief Scores

Mangaluru Dragons – 173/7 in 20 overs (Macneil Noronha 31, Lochan Gowda 34; Yashovardhan Parantap 3/22)

Mysore Warriors – 121 all out in 18.3 overs (Karthik CA 34; Kranthi Kumar 4/24, Shreyas Gopal 3/36)

Result: Mangaluru Dragons won by 52 runs