Coastal Kings Mangaluru registered a commanding eight-wicket victory over Shivamogga Yodhas in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament on Sunday, chasing down a revised target of 118 with ease in Hubballi. The match was reduced to 17 overs per side due to rain.
Shivamogga Yodhas Batting Collapse
Batting first, Shivamogga Yodhas managed only 113 for eight in their 17 overs, as their batting lineup faltered yet again. This marked their second successive defeat in the tournament. Luvnith Sisodia top-scored with 35 off 28 balls, including four boundaries and one six, while Harshil Dharmani contributed 28 runs. However, the rest of the batting order struggled against disciplined bowling from Coastal Kings.
Veteran medium pacer Vasuki Koushik (2-15) struck early, clean bowling opener Naveen MG (10) and dismissing K V Aneesh for a golden duck in his second over. Captain Smaran Ravichandran (6) fell to Dheeraj Gowda, leaving the Yodhas at 58 for four in the ninth over. Debutant BR Rathan (3-16) then dismantled the lower order, claiming three wickets to restrict the Yodhas to a modest total.
Coastal Kings Dominant Chase
Chasing a revised target of 118 under the VJD method, Coastal Kings openers Venkatesh M and Nikin Jose put on a blistering 81-run partnership in just 7.5 overs. Venkatesh smashed 45 off 25 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes, while Jose contributed a steady 31 off 25 balls with two fours and two sixes. Their partnership effectively sealed the match for Coastal Kings.
Siddharth Akhil (22 not out off 19 balls, 2 fours) and Rajvir Wadhwa (10 not out off 7 balls, 1 six) completed the formalities, reaching 118 for two in 12.4 overs. Bheem Rao Navale was the pick of the Yodhas bowlers with 2-24.
Impact on Points Table
This victory was Coastal Kings Mangaluru's third in five matches, lifting them to second place on the points table with seven points. They now trail table-toppers Bengaluru Blasters by just one point. For Shivamogga Yodhas, this was their fourth loss in five matches, leaving them in fourth place with four points.
Key Performances
Vasuki Koushik's early breakthroughs set the tone for Coastal Kings, while 17-year-old debutant BR Rathan impressed with three wickets on his debut. Venkatesh M's explosive batting earned him the Player of the Match honors. Nikin Jose continued his good form with another half-century contribution.
Brief Scores: Shivamogga Yodhas 113-8 in 17 overs (Luvnith Sisodia 35, Harshil Dharmani 28; Vasuki Koushik 2-15, BR Rathan 3-16) lost to Coastal Kings Mangaluru 118-2 in 12.4 overs (Muralidhara Venkatesh 45, Nikin Jose 31; Bheem Rao Navale 2-24) by 8 wickets.
