In a match that swung between moments of exhilaration and nerve-wracking tension, the Hubli Tigers secured a hard-fought 15-run victory over the Mangalore Dragons, leveraging the V Jayadevan (VJD) Method in a rain-affected contest during the Maharaja Trophy T20 2024 on Friday (August 17).

A tense chase under pressure against Mangalore Dragons

With rain disrupting the proceedings, the game was condensed into a high-stakes 7-over chase, leaving the Dragons with a revised target of 80 runs. Despite the shortened format and an aggressive Mangalore lineup, Hubli’s disciplined bowling and the timely rain intervention proved to be the deciding factors.

The chase was filled with thrilling moments. Thippa Reddy set the stage alight with a powerful six in the 6th over, contributing 20 runs off 12 balls. Manish Pandey, the Hubli’s captain, played a pivotal role, scoring a crucial 24 off 14 deliveries. Together, their efforts ensured that Hubli crossed the finish line, despite Mangalore’s fierce resistance.

Also READ: Maharaja Trophy T20 2024 Schedule: Date, Match Time, Broadcast & Live Streaming details

Hubli Tiger’s commanding bowling performance

Earlier, Hubli laid the foundation for their win with a disciplined bowling display, limiting Mangalore to 143/7 in the allotted 16 overs. LR Kumar emerged as the standout performer, taking 3 wickets for 30 runs, with his decisive 16th over wreaking havoc on the Mangalore batting order.

Mangalore’s innings started on a promising note, with openers Macneil Noronha and Rohan Patil providing a solid platform. However, the middle order crumbled under pressure, with only Krishnamurthy Siddharth offering resistance, scoring a resilient 44 off 27 balls. Despite his efforts, Hubli’s dominance with the ball was evident throughout.

Manish Pandey’s stunning fielding

One of the most electrifying moments of the match unfolded on the final ball of the 16th over, delivered by Kumar. Mangalore’s MB Darshan was at the crease, facing a full-pitched delivery from Kumar. Darshan made solid contact, sending the ball soaring high down the ground.

In a display of remarkable athleticism and awareness, Manish, positioned near the boundary line, executed an extraordinary fielding maneuver. As the ball arced towards the boundary, Pandey timed his jump perfectly to catch the ball just before it crossed the rope. Demonstrating exceptional control, he flicked the ball back into play while still in mid-air, ensuring it remained within the field of play. Reddy, standing inside the boundary, then completed the catch with a sharp, decisive grab.

Here’s the video:

ಮನೀಶ್ ಪಾಂಡೆ ಸ್ಪೆಷಲ್ ಕ್ಯಾಚ್ ಇದು…🔥🔥🔥

📺 ನೋಡಿರಿ Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 | ಮಂಗಳೂರು vs ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿ | LIVE NOW #StarSportsKannada ದಲ್ಲಿ#MaharajaTrophy @maharaja_t20 pic.twitter.com/m4WO1xvQJk

— Star Sports Kannada (@StarSportsKan) August 16, 2024

Also READ: Maharaja Trophy T20 2024: Complete squads of all six teams</h3

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