Karun Nair shines, becomes the highest run scorer of Maharaja Trophy, 2024
In the opening innings, the Mysore Warriors encountered an early challenge when Karthik C. A (11) was dismissed by Abhilash Shetty in the third over. Nevertheless, opener Karthik SU (23) and captain Karun Nair (124*) combined for 46 runs during the powerplay.Mysore Warriors secure dominant win over Mangaluru Dragons
Karun Nair exhibited remarkable form, sharing a 47-run stand with Karthik S.U, the second-highest partnership of the innings. Karthik S.U, who had been reprieved twice earlier, was eventually dismissed by MB Darshan in the eighth over, leaving Mysore at 61/2. Also Read: Jay Shah On Cusp Of ICC Chairmanship As Greg Barclay Prepares To Step Down
Nair continued to dominate, reaching a rapid half-century off just 27 balls with an array of stylish sweeps and scoops. Samit Dravid, who had earlier struck a six off Nischit Rao, was dismissed for 16, just one ball after.
Abhilash Shetty's return saw the dismissal of Sumit Kumar (15), bringing Manoj Bhandage (31*) to the crease. Bhandage contributed a quick 14-ball cameo, helping to build an 85-run partnership with Nair in just 29 balls.
Nair’s aggressive play continued as he smashed two sixes and a four off Paras Gurbax Arya in the 15th over. He then unleashed three massive sixes off Nischith Rao to reach a blistering century off only 40 balls, which included 13 fours and nine sixes.
He finished the innings in style by hitting five consecutive boundaries (two sixes and three fours), guiding Mysore to a commanding total of 226/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Mangaluru Dragons’ run chase was stifled early, with Karthik CA removing Macneil Noronha and J Suchith sending Rohit K back to the pavilion before the fifth over.
Despite the early setbacks, Nikin Jose (32) and KV Siddharth (50) put up a strong resistance. KV Siddharth struck four boundaries off Vidyadhar Patil in the sixth over, helping the Dragons reach 61/2 by the end of the powerplay.
Following a brief rain delay in the ninth over, the match resumed with the Dragons needing 87 runs from 33 balls to meet the revised target of 166 (VJD method). Shortly after the play resumed Nikin Jose was dismissed, ending a 50-run partnership.
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Sagar Solanki (0) was dismissed soon after, and KV Siddharth, despite reaching a half-century in 25 balls, couldn’t steer the chase. The Mangaluru Dragons ended their innings at 138/7, falling short of their target.