Bengaluru, Aug 24 (Agency) R Smaran’s explosive half-century and Abhishek Prabhakar’s exceptional spell of 5/21 steered the Gulbarga Mystics to a thrilling 5-wicket win against the Mysore Warriors in the Shriram Capital Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, powered by FanCode, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Smaran’s powerful innings was the cornerstone of Gulbarga’s successful chase of 155 runs. His explosive 52 off 31 balls included a striking lofted six over long-on that brought up his fifty, ensuring a steady progression towards the target. Despite losing his partner Aneesh KV and Ritesh Bhatkal, Smaran’s composed performance was instrumental in guiding Gulbarga home. Earlier, it was Prabhakar’s dazzling bowling that set the tone for Gulbarga. His incisive spell dismantled Mysore, who were restricted to 154/9 in their 20 overs.
Prabhakar’s mastery with the ball was evident as he claimed five wickets, including key dismissals that halted Mysore’s progress and left them struggling at 68/7 in the 12th over. Despite a shaky start, Mysore’s Manoj Bhandage provided a spirited finish with a rapid 38 off 14 balls, while J Suchit contributed 25, helping their team post a competitive total. Their innings saw a promising start by SU Karthik, who scored 24 runs in the powerplay, but crucial breakthroughs by Prabhakar and others stymied their progress. Gulbarga’s response was steady yet dramatic, with Luvnith Sisodia (23) and Devdutt Padikkal (24) putting on a quick opening stand. However, the loss of both early wickets set the stage for a gripping finish. Smaran’s pivotal knock, combined with a swift 17 from Pravin Dubey in the final overs, sealed the victory for Gulbarga with seven balls to spare. Mysore’s defeat marks their third of the competition, casting doubt on their chances for the playoffs, while Gulbarga’s triumph highlights their growing strength in the tournament.