The highly awaited Maharaja Trophy 2025 begins with Gulbarga Mystics (GMY) locking horns with Mangalore Dragons (MD) in the tournament opener at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground in Mysore.
The teams will be enthusiasticto kick off their campaigns on a positive note, especially with contrasting fortunes from last season adding spice to the clash.
Gulbarga Mystics eye strong start Last season, Gulbarga Mystics put up a competitive show, finishing fourth in the league stage before bowing out in the semi-finals to the Bengaluru Blasters. Led by Devdutt Padikkal, the team secured five wins from their 10 matches, suffered four defeats, while one game ended without a result.
The Mystics will look to build on that performance and aim for a title run this year. Their squad boasts a mix of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters. Wicketkeeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia, all-rounders like Monish Reddy and Faizan Raiz, and key bowlers such as Vyshak Vijaykumar and Pravin Dubey will play crucial roles in their campaign opener. With Padikkal’s leadership and the squad’s balance, Gulbarga will be confident of starting on a winning note.
Mangalore Dragons seek redemption In stark contrast, Mangalore Dragons endured a tough outing last season, finishing at the bottom of the table. They managed just one win from their 10 matches, suffered seven losses, and saw two games washed out due to rain. This season offers them a fresh start and a chance to rewrite their fortunes.
The Dragons have retained a core group while making key additions. Their lineup includes reliable players like Abhilash Shetty, Shreyas Gopal, and Ronit More. Spinners such as Shreyas Gopal could be game-changers, especially given the conditions in Mysore. For Mangalore, a strong bowling effort combined with more consistent batting will be key to turning the tide.
Pitch and Conditions The wicket at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground is expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball. Early in the match, pacers might find some movement, but as the game progresses, spinners could come into play. The toss-winning captain is likely to bowl first to gauge conditions and set up a chase.
Predicted playing XIs
Gulbarga Mystics: Luvnith Sisodia (WK), R Sidhhath KV, Monish Reddy, Lavish Kaushal, Sheetal Kumar, Faizan Raiz, Younus Ali Baig, Pravin Dubey, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Prajwal Pavan, Likhit M Bannu.
Match prediction Considering recent form, team balance, and last season’s performances, Gulbarga Mystics head into this clash as favourites. Their batting depth and bowling options give them an edge over Mangalore Dragons, who will need a significant turnaround to cause an upset. If the Dragons’ top order clicks and their bowlers execute plans well, they could challenge Gulbarga, but the Mystics appear better placed to take the opening win.
