MPL 2025, 1st Match Review: Mandar Bhandari's whirlwind century headlines Eagle Nashik Titans' victory

Eagle Nashik Titans registered an eight-wicket win in the opening match of the Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) 2025 on Wednesday, June 4, against Ratnagiri Jets at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Nashik captain Prashant Solanki won the toss and opted to field first on a fine batting deck. Ratnagiri opener Dhiraj Phatangare carried his bat, scoring an unbeaten 81 off 47 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes. Ratnagiri skipper Azim Kazi played a handy knock, scoring a 31-ball 42, hitting five fours and two maximums.

Nikhil Naik (14) and Divyang Hinganekar (20) spent a considerable amount of time at the crease but couldn't up the ante. In the end, Ratnagiri finished on 194/6 in their 20 overs. Pacer Mukesh Choudhary picked up three wickets, conceding 43 runs in his four overs for Nashik. Akshay Waikar was the most economical bowler on the day, giving away just 26 runs in his four-over spell and picking up the important wicket of Naik.

Chasing a formidable total, Nashik got off to a fantastic start, with wicketkeeper-batter Mandar Bhandari taking the Ratnagiri bowlers to the cleaners. Arshin Kulkarni did not have to do much work from the other end, as Bhandari was in rampaging form. The opening duo added 122 runs in 12 overs. Kulkarni (32-ball 39) was the first Nashik batter to be dismissed.

Sahil Parakh came out as the Impact Player and played a blistering knock, smashing 46 off 22 with the help of five fours and three sixes. Bhandari also brought up his century with a six off Vijay Pawale off just 48 balls. Parakh was dismissed in the 18th over, with just five runs left to win for Nashik.

Ranjeet Nikam faced just one delivery, and it went for four leg-byes as Nashik romped home in 18.2 overs with eight wickets to spare. Bhandar finished on 112 off 56 balls, slamming 12 fours and six sixes.