Bengaluru, (UNI) The Bengaluru Blasters surged to a seven-wicket victory over the Shivamogga Lions at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, chasing down a target of 164 with 2.4 overs to spare.
The match was highlighted by a standout performance from Bhuvan Raju, whose decisive 59 off 36 balls included a match-winning six to backward square leg.
The chase began solidly for the Blasters, with openers LR Chethan and Mayank Agarwal setting the stage. Chethan was quick out of the blocks, scoring 23 off 12 deliveries before falling to Anand Doddamani. Agarwal played a crucial supporting role, contributing 42 off 34 balls before being dismissed.
Taking control after the initial breakthroughs, Bhuvan showcased both composure and aggression. His innings, which featured three boundaries and four sixes, kept Bengaluru on track. He was well-supported by Suraj Ahuja, who chipped in with 23 runs off 18 balls before falling to Vasuki Koushik.
The Shivamogga Lions’ bowlers struggled to keep Bengaluru in check. While Doddamani returned respectable figures of 2-23 and Koushik had an economical spell, the rest of the attack faltered. HS Sharath and Rajvir Wadhwa were particularly costly, conceding 33 and 27 runs respectively.
In a dramatic finish, Bhuvan sealed the victory with a towering six off Sharath in the 18th over, leaving Shivamogga to reflect on missed opportunities. This win underscores Bengaluru’s strong form and resilience in the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Shivamogga Lions posted a competitive total of 163/9. Despite frequent wickets, Hardik Raj’s explosive 69 off 33 deliveries, including five boundaries and five sixes, propelled SML to their total. His vital partnership with Sharath, who contributed an unbeaten 15 off 10 balls, ensured SML reached a challenging score.
The Bengaluru bowlers maintained pressure throughout, with Lavish Kaushal and Shubhang Hegde each taking 2/34. Their disciplined death bowling was crucial, as the Lions managed only 45 runs in the last five overs, losing three wickets.
With the Bengaluru’s successful chase, the victory highlights their depth and prowess, continuing their impressive run in the tournament.
