Maharaja Trophy 2025, Match 9 Review: Bengaluru Blasters make it two-in-a-row with eight wickets victory over Shivamogga Lions

Skipper Shubhang Hegde starred with a three-wicket haul and a quickfire finish as the Bengaluru Blasters overpowered the Shivamogga Lions by eight wickets in a rain-reduced six-overs-a-side clash at the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 at the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Stadium.

Electing to bowl first, Shubhang Hegde’s (3/7) clinical three-wicket haul and Mohsin Khan’s (2/5) tight one-over spell restricted the Lions to 62/6, despite a brisk start from skipper Nihal Ullal.

Ullal (31 off 12) got the Lions off to a flying start, smashing two sixes and a four off Vidyadhar Patil in the first over. However, the Blasters fought back through Hegde, who dismissed Aneeshwar Gautam (1) in a tight third over that conceded just four runs.

Mohsin Khan then tightened the screws with a double blow in the fourth over, removing Ullal and Hardik Raj in quick succession. Shubhang Hegde returned in the fifth over to remove Anirudha Joshi, taking a stunning catch off his own bowling and dismissing him for 4. He struck again immediately after, dealing a double blow to the Lions.

In the final over, Naveen MG dismissed Rohit Kumar, but Darshan MB’s late cameo (14 off 5) with two sixes helped the Lions finish at 62/6.

In reply, the Bengaluru Blasters began aggressively. Chethan LR set the tone with two sixes and a four off Vidwath Kaverappa in the opening over. However, Vasuki Koushik struck in the second over to remove Chethan, while Anand Doddamani, introduced as the impact player, sent back Rohan Patil, leaving the Blasters at 31/2 in 2.3 overs.

The chase was steadied and finished in style by Mayank Agarwal (18* off 10) and skipper Shubhang Hegde (14* off 4). The pair took down Hardik Raj for 23 runs in a single over, with Hegde hammering two back-to-back sixes to wrap up the chase in just 4.2 overs and secure the Blasters' second consecutive win.

Brief Scores

Shivamogga Lions: 62/6 in 6 overs (Nihal Ullal 31 off 12, Darshan MB 14 off 5; Shubhang Hegde 3/7, Mohsin Khan 2/5)

Bengaluru Blasters: 63/2 in 4.2 overs (Mayank Agarwal 18* off 10, Shubhang Hegde 14* off 4; V Koushik 1/16, Anand Doddamani 1/7)

Result: Bengaluru Blasters won by 8 wickets.