Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Karun Nair, Prasidh Krishna Among Top Retentions Ahead of July 15 Auction

The Shriram Capital Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 is set to make its return with its fourth edition, scheduled to be played from August 11 to 27 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) confirmed that this year’s tournament will be played behind closed doors with no spectators in attendance.

The tournament will feature six teams: Mysore Warriors, Bengaluru Blasters, Hubli Tigers, Gulbarga Mystics, Shivamogga Lions, and Mangaluru Dragons. All matches will be played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the stadium’s advanced sub-air system is expected to minimise delays due to potential rain during the monsoon season.

Key player retentions were announced ahead of the player auction scheduled for July 15. Each team will be required to build squads of at least 16 and up to 18 players, in addition to two mandatory players from their respective catchment areas.

Defending champions Mysore Warriors will once again be led by Karun Nair, who was the tournament’s top scorer last season with 560 runs. Joining him at the top order will be Karthik SU, a breakout performer last season with 372 runs in 12 innings, including three fifties. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Karthik CA round out the team’s strong core.

Bengaluru Blasters, last season’s runners-up, have retained experienced opener Mayank Agarwal, wicketkeeper-batter Suraj Ahuja, and all-rounder Shubhang Hegde, who contributed 201 runs and 14 wickets last season. The team also welcomes back Naveen MG to strengthen their lineup.

Hubli Tigers will rely on KL Shrijith’s top-order explosiveness after he compiled 349 runs last season, including a match-winning century. Young all-rounders KP Karthikeya, Manvanth Kumar, and spinner KC Cariappa remain key parts of the squad.

Gulbarga Mystics have retained captain Vyshak Vijaykumar and their reliable top-order batters Smaran R and Luvnith Sisodia, who combined for 616 runs last season. Praveen Dubey’s all-round experience adds further depth to the team.

Shivamogga Lions will continue with right-arm pacer Vasuki Koushik, wicketkeeper Nihal Ullal, left-arm spinner Hardik Raj, and all-rounder Avinash D as their mainstays for the season.

Mangaluru Dragons have retained left-arm pacer Abhilash Shetty, batting all-rounders Macneil Noronha and Paras Gurbax Arya, and right-handed batter Lochan Gowda to form their core group.