MPL 2025 Match 20 Review: Rahul Tripathi, Anand Thenge hand Kolhapur Tuskers narrow win over Raigad Royals
Rahul Tripathi's match-winning fifty handed Kolhapur a narrow two-wicket win.
In Match 20 of the ongoing Maharashtra Premier League 2025, Rahul Tripathi’s fine innings and Anand Thenge’s four-wicket haul helped Kolhapur Tuskers edge past Raigad Royals by two wickets in a last-over thriller at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The result lifted Kolhapur's playoff hopes as they secured the fourth place in the tally.
The game began with Tuskers skipper Rahul Tripathi calling it correctly at the toss and opting to bowl first. Raigad Royals looked decent despite losing quick wickets, including Vicky Ostwal in the fourth over. The top order, featuring Siddhesh Veer (21 off 15), Harsh Mogaveera (10 off 12), and Omkar Khatpe (16 off 18), couldn't build big partnerships and found themselves back in the pavilion soon.
However, Niraj Joshi played a fighting knock of 49 off just 27 deliveries, anchoring the innings after a mini-collapse in the middle overs. But Tuskers' bowlers, including Anand Thenge (4/29) and Deepak Dangi (3/27), wreaked havoc. The Royals were bowled out for 159 in 19.4 overs.
Kolhapur’s chase began brilliantly with Sachin Dhas (29 off 19) providing a quick start. However, wickets fell in quick succession after the powerplay. Within the span of 10 balls, they lost both openers and their No.3. Skipper Tripathi hammered a match-winning 53 off 43 deliveries, lacing his knock with five boundaries.
He stitched an important 49-run stand with Vishant More (22 off 15). Despite wickets falling around him, Tripathi kept Kolhapur in the hunt. With Tripathi dismissed in the 19th over, the game was still in balance, with Kolhapur needing 6 off 6. Despite all the pressure, Dhanraj Shinde guided the Tuskers home with just two balls to spare, ending the game with a boundary.
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