Bengaluru, Aug 31 (Agency) LR Chethan and Mayank Agarwal’s stellar performances guided Bengaluru Blasters to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Gulbarga Mystics in the first semifinals of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, held on Friday. Bengaluru, chasing a target of 156, reached the total with 17 balls to spare, thanks to a commanding batting display that left Gulbarga struggling to contain the onslaught. Chethan’s blistering 89 off 51 balls was the highlight of the match, showcasing a mix of precision and power. His innings featured nine boundaries and four massive sixes, displaying his ability to dominate the bowlers with ease. Chethan’s aggressive approach set the tone early, putting Gulbarga’s bowlers on the back foot and ensuring Bengaluru maintained control throughout the chase. Opening alongside Chethan, Bengaluru skipper Mayank Agarwal provided solid support with a well-paced 52 off 37 balls. Agarwal played a crucial role in the initial stages, anchoring the innings and rotating the strike effectively. His ability to find the gaps and score at a brisk rate allowed Chethan to play his natural game. Together, they forged a formidable 124-run partnership, dismantling the Gulbarga attack with a blend of elegant drives and powerful hits. Agarwal’s dismissal, caught by Smaran R at square leg off Ritesh Bhatkal, brought an end to his impressive innings but did little to halt Bengaluru’s charge. Chethan continued to anchor the chase, combining finesse and aggression as he pierced the field with precision. Bhuvan Raju then played a composed knock, ensuring there were no hiccups in the final stages. He remained unbeaten and finished the game in style, driving Monish Reddy’s delivery for a boundary off the first ball of the 18th over to seal the win.
Earlier in the day, Gulbarga Mystics struggled to capitalise on a strong start, managing only 155 in 19.5 overs. Opting to bat first, Gulbarga looked set for a substantial total with Luvnith Sisodia firing on all cylinders. Sisodia smashed 41 off just 20 balls, including five boundaries and two towering sixes, providing a solid platform. However, once he was dismissed by Lavish Kaushal, who finished with figures of 2 for 33, Gulbarga’s innings began to unravel.Kaushal and Mohsin Khan, who claimed two early wickets, kept the pressure on with disciplined bowling, preventing Gulbarga from settling into a rhythm. Praveen Dubey tried to revive Gulbarga’s innings with a brisk 26 off 17 balls, but his dismissal in the penultimate over left the Mystics struggling to accelerate. A brilliant runout by Suraj Ahuja, who dismissed Wahid Faizan Khan with a direct hit, further exposed Gulbarga’s fragile lower order. Santok Singh tightened the screws in the death overs, conceding just 11 runs in his 1.5 overs, while Bengaluru’s fielders backed up their bowlers with sharp catches and athletic stops. The final overs saw a collapse as Gulbarga lost three wickets for just 40 runs, failing to mount a strong finish. Their inability to string together partnerships, coupled with Bengaluru’s clinical bowling and sharp fielding, resulted in a below-par total that never looked sufficient against a determined Blasters lineup. Bengaluru’s all-round performance now sets them up for the final, where they will look to carry forward this momentum. For Gulbarga, the defeat marked the end of a promising campaign, undone by Chethan and Agarwal’s batting masterclass.