WATCH: Devdutt Padikkal remains not out for 99 as he scores 2 runs from 3 balls in final over, leads Hubli Tigers to Maharaja Trophy T20 2025 final

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) Devdutt Padikkal remained not out for 99 in the Maharaja Trophy T20 2025 Qualifier 1 clash against Mangalore Dragons on August 26. Padikkal played the anchor role in the innings but missed his century by a whisker after taking a single off the penultimate delivery of the innings. 

Before Kranthi Kumar bowled the last over of Hubli Tigers' innings, the skipper was batting on 97 off 61 balls. Manvanth Kumar L took a single via leg byes on the first delivery. Then Padikkal played the ball towards mid-wicket and took a single. On the third ball, Manvanth took a single towards cover. Then, Kranti bowled a dot delivery. On the penultimate delivery, Padikkal could not get to his century and managed to take a single towards short fine leg. He did not retain strike on the last ball and Manvanth finished the innings with a six over long-off.

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Padikkal’s steady start

Hubli Tigers posted 210/2 after Padikkal won the toss and opted to bat first at Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground, Mysore. The southpaw started the innings with a six off leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal. After powerplay overs, Hubli Tigers were 56/0. The opening partnership was broken in the 10th over. Mohammed Taha was dismissed lbw by Ronit More for a 28-ball 37. Padikkal reached his fifty from 44 balls in the 13th over. 

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Padikkal, Manohar’s brutal onslaught

As the slog overs approached, Padikkal accelerated alongside Abhinav Manohar. In the 16th over, Padikkal hit Shreevathsa for two fours and a six. After the rain break, Padikkal hit More for four fours in an over. Manohar launched a brutal onslaught in the 18th over, hitting Kranti for three fours and a six to reach his fifty from 21 balls. On the last ball of the over, he departed for a 23-ball 50. Manvanth contributed with a six-ball 16 cameo as Hubli Tigers posted a daunting total.

Dragons collapse, Tigers in their 2nd final

In the run chase, Mangalore Dragons could never find momentum. They were bowled out for 100 and lost by a huge margin of 100 runs. Ritesh Bhatkal struck thrice whereas Shreesha Achar, KC Cariappa and Yash Raj Punja got two wickets a piece.  Hubli Tigers made it to their second final of Maharaja Trophy T20. They will face the winner of Qualifier 2 between Mangalore Dragons and Bengaluru Blasters. The final is scheduled to take place on August 28.