Bengaluru, Aug 16 (Agency) Bengaluru Blasters opened their Shriram Capital Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 campaign with an impressive nine-wicket triumph over the Gulbarga Mystics on Thursday. The victory was built on a disciplined bowling effort and a commanding chase, highlighted by standout performances from LR Chethan and captain Mayank Agarwal. Chasing a modest target of 117, Bengaluru made short work of the chase, reaching 117/1 in just 11.2 overs. Chethan and Agarwal put together a scintillating 101-run partnership for the first wicket, guiding their team to victory with ease. Chethan was in explosive form, remaining unbeaten with a blistering 53 off 34 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes. Agarwal supported brilliantly, finishing on 47 not out from 29 balls. Their aggressive play in the powerplay saw Bengaluru score over half their target within the first six overs, sealing the game with nine wickets and 8.4 overs to spare.
Earlier, Gulbarga Mystics, put in to bat, found themselves quickly on the back foot as the Bengaluru bowlers exhibited their dominance. Lavish Kaushal (2/22) and MG Naveen (2/8) made early breakthroughs, dismissing openers Luvnith Sisodia (14) and Devdutt Padikkal (20). Aditya Goyal further unsettled the Mystics with a fiery spell, claiming 3/43 and dismantling the middle order. By the end of the powerplay, Gulbarga were in dire straits at 56/4. Despite attempts from Sharath BR (13) and Pravin Dubey (19) to stabilise the innings, they too fell to Goyal. Vyshak Vijaykumar was dismissed for a golden duck, and the Mystics were eventually bowled out for 116 in 16.4 overs. Mohsin Khan and Shubhang Hegde played key roles in dismissing the tail-enders. The Bengaluru Blasters’ emphatic win sets a high standard for the tournament, showcasing a well-rounded team performance and marking a promising start to their campaign. Brief Scores Gulbarga Mystics: 116/10 in 16.4 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 20, Pravin Dubey 19; Aditya Goyal 3/43, Naveen MG 2/8, Lavish Kaushal 2/22) Bengaluru Blasters: 117/1 in 11.2 overs (Chethan LR 53, Mayank Agarwal 47; Vyshak Vijaykumar 1/44).