WATCH: Smaran R's Unbeaten Century Leads Gulbarga Mystics to Victory Over Mysore Warriors Despite Samit Dravid's Valiant Effort

Rahul Dravid's son, Samit Dravid, impressed once again in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2024 tournament in Bengaluru on Sunday (August 18). Continuing his fine run of form, Samit showcased his talent while playing for Mysore Warriors against the Gulbarga Mystics in Match No. 7 of the tournament.

Samit smashed 33 off 24 balls with a six and four boundaries and put on a crucial stand of 83 runs for the third wicket with former India international Karun Nair, who top-scored with 66 off 35 balls with three sixes and 35 balls to help the Warriors recover from 18 for 2 in 4th over.

Former Mumbai Indians all-rounder Jagadeesha Suchith came in and walloped 13-balls 40 with four sixes and 2 fours as Warrior powered to 196 for 8 after batting first.

An important 33 off 24 deliveries and a partnership with captain #KarunNair saw #SamitDravid impress everyone!

Will this innings by #RahulDravid‘s son, prove to be the gamechanger for #MysuruWarriors?

Stay tuned to #MaharajaTrophyOnStar LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2 pic.twitter.com/MjHybNxYWd

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 18, 2024

Samit is a promising Karnataka all-rounder and hit the limelight with his performances in the 2023-24 Cooch Behar Trophy. Batting in the middle order, he contributed significantly to Karnataka’s title-winning campaign, notching up 362 runs across eight matches.

His finest knock was a 98 against Jammu and Kashmir, showcasing his batting prowess. Additionally, Samit’s all-round capabilities were on full display as he made key contributions with the ball, claiming 16 wickets in the tournament, including a crucial two-wicket haul in the final against Mumbai.

Meanwhile, Smaran R’s unbeaten century powered the Gulbarga Mystics to their first win of the season in a nail-biting three-wicket triumph over the Mysore Warriors in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 trophy clash on Sunday.

Chasing a challenging target of 196, Smaran’s 104 not out off 60 balls, coupled with a crucial cameo from Praveen Dubey (37), helped Gulbarga clinch victory on the final ball. With the swashbuckling innings, Smaran became the first batsman this season to score a century.

Despite early setbacks, with Devdutt Padikkal (1) and Luvnith Sisodia (4) falling to CA Karthik and Vidhyadhar Patil respectively, Gulbarga made the most of the powerplay. Impact Player Aneesh KV (24) and Smaran R stabilized the innings, with Aneesh striking three fours off Dhanush Gowda in a single over, and Smaran clearing the ropes twice, guiding Gulbarga to 56/2 by the end of the powerplay.

Karun Nair, consistently finding the gaps, ensured a steady flow of runs while Samit Dravid’s 24-ball stay ended in the 12th over, caught at long-on off Sharan Goud’s bowling. Meanwhile, Nair reached his half-century in 27 balls. Sumit Kumar then joined Nair, quickly getting into his stride with 19 off 12 balls before Monish Reddy struck again, dismissing both Kumar and Manoj Bhandige (0) in quick succession. Karun Nair’s impressive knock of 63, with eight fours and three sixes, ended in the 16th over when he was scalped by Yashovardhan Parantap, leaving the Warriors at 143/6.

(with ANI inputs)