Bengaluru, Aug 21 (UNI) The Chinnaswamy Stadium witnessed an electrifying performance by Luvnith Sisodia as the Gulbarga Mystics secured a comfortable nine-wicket win against the Shivamogga Lions in the Shriram Capital Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, powered by FanCode, on Wednesday.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Sisodia, who anchored his team’s chase with a commanding 62* off just 35 balls, guiding the Gulbarga to their second consecutive victory in the tournament.
The Gullbarga’s chase of a modest 127 was a display of sheer dominance from the outset. Sisodia, opening alongside Devdutt Padikkal, began with an array of boundaries that sent the Shivamogga bowlers on a leather hunt.
The duo put on a blistering 72-run partnership in just seven overs, setting the tone for an early finish. Sisodia, in particular, was in imperious form, showcasing his aggressive intent with a mix of powerful strokes, including five boundaries and five towering sixes.
Padikkal’s contribution of 27 was crucial in maintaining the momentum, but it was Sisodia who stole the spotlight. His half-century came up in just 30 balls, reaching the milestone with a straight six that drew applause from the fans.
After Padikkal’s departure, Aneesh KV took over the supporting role, but it was Sisodia who continued to dictate terms, ensuring that the Gulbarga crossed the finish line with ease. Aneesh’s quickfire 31* off 14 balls was the final nail in the coffin for the Shivamogga , as the Gulbarga wrapped up the chase in just 11.4 overs.
The victory, however, was built on a solid foundation laid by Gulbarga bowlers earlier in the day. Shivamogga, after opting to bat first, struggled to find any rhythm, thanks to a disciplined performance by the Gulbarga bowlers.
Shivamogga were reeling at 30/4 at the end of the powerplay, with Yashovardhan Parantap delivering a wicket-maiden and Prithviraj Shekhawat, Ritesh Bhatkal, and Monish Reddy chipping in with crucial breakthroughs.
The lone resistance from Shivamogga came from Abhinav Manohar, who played a valiant knock of 55 off 36 balls. Despite losing partners at the other end, Manohar fought on, smashing three sixes and a boundary to keep Shivamogga in the hunt. But his efforts were not enough to save his team from a batting collapse, as Yashovardhan and Abhishek Prabhakar cleaned up the tail, restricting Shivamogga to a paltry 126 in 18.1 overs.
Abhishek Prabhakar and Yashovardhan Parantap were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each, and ensuring that the Shivamogga never really took off. The match was effectively over when Sisodia, with his aggressive yet calculated approach, made light work of the target, propelling the Gulbarga to a dominant victory.
For Sisodia, this innings was a testament to his growing stature as a match-winner. His ability to pace his innings, coupled with his explosive hitting, has made him a key player for the Gulbarga, and his performance on Wednesday only reaffirmed his importance to the team’s success.
As the Gulbarga look ahead in the tournament, they will take confidence from Sisodia’s match-winning knock and the overall team effort that has seen them emerge as strong contenders in the competition. With two wins under their belt, the Gulbarga are now one of the teams to watch out for in the Shriram Capital Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20.
