Bengaluru, Aug 27 (FN Agency) Aneeshwar Gautam and KL Shrijith were the heroes for the Hubli Tigers’ triumph over the Mangaluru Dragons in the Shriram Capital Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 played here on Monday. Gautam and Shrijith not only secured victory, but also redefined the team’s trajectory, When Hubli found themselves in trouble early, losing both openers within the first few overs, the pressure was immense. Karthikeya KP and Taha had fallen cheaply, leaving the team at a precarious 10/2. The task of rebuilding the innings fell squarely on the shoulders of the young left-handers, Gautam and Shrijith. Gautam, with a reputation as a calm and collected player, was the first to assert himself. He understood the gravity of the situation and knew that his team needed stability. But stability didn’t mean slow play. Instead, Gautam blended caution with aggression, waiting for the right moments to unleash his shots. His brutal attack on Dheeraj Gowda in the 12th over was a masterclass in controlled aggression—three fours and a six in one over not only shifted the momentum but also signaled the beginning of Hubli’s dominance. Gautam’s 32-ball half-century was a testament to his ability to adapt to the match’s demands.
At the other end, Shrijith played the perfect foil. Starting cautiously, he understood the need to protect his wicket while Gautam went on the offensive. Yet, as the innings progressed, Shrijith began to find his rhythm. His six and a four off Macneil Noronha in the 14th over were crucial in maintaining the tempo set by Gautam. When he followed it up with two massive sixes off Shreyas Gopal in the next over, Shrijith demonstrated that he was not just holding the fort but was ready to dominate. Their 148-run partnership was more than just runs on the board; it was a statement. For nearly ten overs, the pair played with such precision and confidence that the Mangaluru Dragons were left searching for answers. Each boundary, each six, was a nail in the coffin for the Dragons, who watched helplessly as the target grew ever more daunting. Even as Shrijith fell short of his century, caught at deep mid-wicket while chasing his third six of the over, his contribution had already set the stage for a grand finish. Gautam, now joined by the experienced Manish Pandey, continued to push Hubli’s total higher, ensuring there was no let-up. By the time the innings closed at 209/3, the Tigers had not only recovered from their early setbacks but had posted a total that would prove too much for their opponents. This partnership wasn’t just about two players scoring runs; it was about resilience, understanding the game situation, and executing a plan to perfection.
Gautam and Shrijith’s innings encapsulated the spirit of Hubli, fighting back when the odds are against you and emerging victorious with a clinical performance. On the bowling front, Hubli were equally impressive. Defending 209, they faced an aggressive start from Mangaluru’s Macneil Noronha, who attacked Manvanth Kumar in the first over, hitting three boundaries. However, Nischith Pai turned the game in Hubli’s favour with a crucial spell. Pai struck twice in quick succession, removing Noronha and Tushar Singh (11), setting the tone for the Tigers’ defense. Rishi Bopanna was another standout performer with the ball. After a quickfire 25 from Rohan Patil had kept Mangaluru in the hunt, Bopanna’s timely breakthroughs proved decisive. He removed Patil, then returned later to take down key middle-order batsman KV Siddharth (30) and the dangerous Nikin Jose (0). Bopanna’s figures of 3/28 were instrumental in stifling the Dragons’ chase. The fielding, too, played a crucial role, with sharp catches, particularly Nischith Pai’s effort to dismiss Siddharth, helping maintain the pressure on Mangaluru. As the Dragons struggled to keep up with the required rate, their innings unraveled, and the Tigers capitalized on every mistake. Madhav Bajaj’s dismissal of Sagar Solanki (1) and Pai’s third wicket, which saw the back of Mangaluru skipper Shreyas Gopal (30), ensured there was no late comeback. Brief Scores Hubli Tigers 209/3 (KL Shrijith 77 runs off 44 balls, Aneeshwar Gautam 95* runs off 58 balls, Manish Pandey 24* runs off 11 balls, Shreyas Gopal 1/30).Mangaluru Dragons 167/10 (KV Siddharth 30 runs off 27 balls, Lochan Gowda 35 runs off 18 balls, Shreyas Gopal 38 runs off 23 balls, Nischit Pai 3/21, Rishi Bopanna 3/28). Hubli Tigers won by 42 runs.