The fifth day of the ongoing Maharani Cup, organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association to promote and develop women’s cricket in the state and across the country, was action-packed. Match 9 of the tournament saw Mysore Warriors take on Bengaluru Blasters at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur.
Match 9: Mysore Warriors vs Bengaluru Blasters
Batting first, the Warriors were led by stand-in captain Shishira Gowda in the absence of regular skipper Shubha Satheesh. The innings got off to a shaky start as Yashika Gowda, opening alongside the in-form Rachitha Hatwar, was dismissed for a duck by Pushpa Kiresur on just the third ball of the match. Silkin Patel then joined Hatwar at the crease, and the duo stabilised the innings with a valuable 67-run partnership. Patel contributed 23 runs before being dismissed. Captain Shishira Gowda came in next but couldn’t make an impact, getting run out for just 2.
Despite wickets falling at the other end, 15-year-old Rachitha Hatwar anchored the innings brilliantly. She scored a composed 57, laced with nine boundaries and a six, guiding her team to a respectable total of 110. She was well supported by Kusum Gowda, who chipped in with a crucial 13 runs. Pushpa Kiresur was the pick of the bowlers for the Bengaluru Blasters. In her impressive four-over spell, she conceded just 21 runs, claimed three wickets, and bowled a maiden over. Kandikuppa Kashvi and Aditi Rajesh also chipped in with a wicket each, helping restrict the Mysore Warriors to 110.
The Bengaluru Blasters’ chase got off to a disastrous start, losing a wicket on the very first ball as Nireeksha was trapped lbw by Ahlam Syed. Syed struck again soon after, removing the other opener, Deeksha CD. The Blasters’ troubles deepened when stand-in skipper, Gowda, dismissed Aditi Rajesh, joining the early procession of batters.
However, wicketkeeper Sakshi Doijode and captain Kandikuppa Kashvi steadied the innings, stitching together a crucial partnership to bring some stability after the shaky start. Just as the Blasters began to find their rhythm, Sahana Pawar broke the stand, by dismissing Doijode. Kashvi led the fightback with a composed 48, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved half-century, falling to a sharp return catch by Vandita Rao. Unfortunately for the Blasters, no other batter managed to settle in, and they eventually fell short, losing the match by 12 runs.
Off-spinner Deeksha Honushree was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets. Syed and Rao chipped in with two wickets each, while Pawar and Gowda took one apiece. Rachita Hatwar, who scored a vital 57 to anchor her team’s innings, was named Player of the Match. It was her second consecutive award in as many games, underlining her excellent form.
With this win, the Mysore Warriors climbed to the top of the table with 12 points and secured their place in the playoffs.
Match 10: Shivamogga Lioness vs Mangaluru Dragons
The tenth match of the ongoing 2025 Maharani Cup, organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association, was played between the Shivamogga Lioness and the Mangaluru Dragons at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur.
Batting first, Shivamogga Lioness opened with skipper Roshni Kiran and Advika D Gowda. However, the start was shaky, as Gowda was run out after scoring just 3. Keerthi SV, coming in at No. 3, was also dismissed cheaply by Rithu Gowda, leaving the Lioness under early pressure.
With quick wickets falling, Lavanya Chalana joined captain Roshni Kiran, and the duo attempted to stabilise the innings, putting together a brief partnership of 19 runs. Just as things began to settle, Kiran was dismissed for 31. Despite the setbacks, Chalana anchored the innings from one end, eventually scoring a valuable 39 before being dismissed.
A crucial late partnership between Chalana and Mithila Vinod helped the Shivamogga Lioness post a respectable total of 113 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. For the Mangaluru Dragons, Liyanka Shetty led the bowling attack with 2 wickets. Saloni P, Reethu Gowda, and Bhakti Shetty chipped in with one wicket each.
Chasing a modest target that required less than a-run-a-ball, the Mangaluru Dragons stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 9 runs. Sixteen-year-old Inchara CU and skipper Prathyoosha Kumar then stepped up under pressure, stitching together a crucial 80-run partnership to stabilise the innings.
Captain Kumar played a valuable knock of 39 before being dismissed, but Inchara remained unbeaten, showing remarkable composure and maturity beyond her years. She guided her team to victory with a match-winning 51*, which included two fours and two sixes, as the Dragons chased down the target in 17.3 overs. For her composed and match-winning half-century in a high-pressure situation, young Inchara CU was deservedly named Player of the Match.
With this victory, Mangaluru Dragons became the third team to qualify for the playoffs, joining Mysore Warriors, Hubli Tigers, and Shivamogga Liones.
