Hubli Tigers defeated Mysuru Warriors in a thrilling final to become the Champions of Maharaja Season 2 Trophy played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on 29th August 2023. Meanwhile, Hubli Tigers captain Manish Pandey saved 5 important at the boundary during Mysuru Warriors’ innings.

With 11 runs required off 4 deliveries, Jagadeesha Suchith hit a big shot, but Manish Pandey had the presence of mind to save 5 runs that titled the match in favour of Hubli Tigers. It was a superb fielding effort by the Tigers captain to deny Mysuru Warriors the victory.

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SAVIOUR | MANISH PANDEY 🫶#IlliGeddavareRaja |
#MaharajaTrophy | pic.twitter.com/JJhztNZpFa

— ᴍᴀᴛᴄʜ ɪɴsɪᴅᴇʀ (@DMatchInsider) August 29, 2023

Mysuru Warriors captain Karun Nair won the toss and decided to field first. Luvinith Sisodia came as an impact player for Hubli Tigers dismissed without opening his account. Mohammad Taha showed intent right from the word go and put pressure on Warrior’s bowling. Taha and Shrijith kept the momentum going for the Tigers with a flurry of boundaries. At the end of the first six overs, Hubli Tigers scored 59 for 1.

Taha looked in great touch completing his fifty off just 27 balls. J Suchith got the breakthrough dismissing Shritjth with a simple catch at backward square leg. Taha and Shirjth added 89 runs for the 2nd wicket. Taha’s brilliant innings came to an end caught by Suchith. Taha and Sanjay Ashwin put on 31 runs for the 3rd wicket.

Manish Pandey looked in fine touch putting enough pressure with an attacking mindset not allowing the Mysuru Warriors bowlers to settle. Pandey completed fifty off 23 balls deliveries with a run out of MB Darshan off the last ball. Hubli Tigers posted 203 for 8 in 20 overs.

Chasing 204 runs to win, SU Karthik and Ravi Samarth showed intent right from the word go hitting boundaries at will. Karthik was dismissed by Mitrakanth for a quickfire 28 off 18 deliveries. Karthik and Samarth added 57 runs for the opening wicket. Samarth and Karun Nair kept the pressure on Tigers bowlers taking singles and hitting boundaries regularly.

Samarth completed fifty off 30 deliveries and kept the momentum going for Warrior’s side. Samarth was run out with a misunderstanding to end the 56-run partnership for 2nd wicket. The match was in favour of the Tigers as they kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Manvanth conceded just 3 runs in the final over and picked the wicket of J Suchith. Hubli Tigers won the title by 8 runs.

Hubli Tigers’ performance in the tournament

Hubli Tigers finished as the table topper in the league stage with 8 wins and 2 losses in the league stage. They took on Shivamogga Lions during the first semi-finals winning by 8 wickets.

Mohammad Taha finished as the leading run-getter for Hubli Tigers with 448 runs from 12 matches ( 12 innings) with 6 half-centuries to his name including the best score of 72. KL Shirijith also performed brilliantly in the tournament with 393 runs from 11 matches ( 11 innings) with 4 half-centuries to his name including the best score of 65.

Tigers captain Manish Pandey led from the front with 332 runs from 12 matches ( 9 innings) with 3 half-centuries including the best score of 69 not out.

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