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The 5th variation of the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) T20 tournament, the Maharaja Trophy, volition beryllium held successful Mysuru, Hubballi and Bengaluru from June 20 to July 12.
Gulbarga Mystics, champions of the inaugural variation successful 2022, unveiled its caller jersey and announced its squad for the tourney astatine a associated property league organised by the franchise and KSCA successful Kalaburagi connected Tuesday.
Players were introduced astatine the lawsuit wherever the squad besides launched an situation inaugural by distributing saplings.
Representing Kalaburagi, Raichur and different parts of North Karnataka, Gulbarga Mystics has reached the knockout signifier successful each variation of the tourney truthful far.
The franchise has named a 20-member squad for this season, including 18 players selected done auction and 2 from its catchment area.
A erstwhile India batter Manish Pandey has been retained arsenic the team’s marquee subordinate for ₹12.75 lakh.
The squad besides includes Karnataka all-rounder Macneil Noronha who precocious signed with Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026, wicketkeeper-batter B.R. Sharath and home players Ronit Gajanan More and Melu Kranthi Kumar.
The franchise is owned by Chancellor of Khaja Bandanawaz University Syed Mohammed Ali Al Husseini, Syed Mustafa Al Husseini and Mir Rahoofuddin Ali Khan.
Neil Michael Joseph and Mahesh Hariharan person joined the ownership radical this season.
A erstwhile Karnataka all-rounder Akhil Balachandra is the team’s mentor, portion Kunal Kapoor is the caput manager and K.V. Siddharth the fielding coach.
Speaking astatine the event, KSCA vice-president Sujith Somasundar said that the tourney provides an accidental for young players from some agrarian and municipality areas.
“The Maharaja Trophy gives young cricketers a accidental to play alongside elder players and amended their skills,” helium said.
Kushal Patil, coordinator for the Raichur zone, said that the tourney tin assistance talented players advancement to the IPL and the Indian team.
Green initiative
The franchise announced an situation run linked to the team’s show during the tournament.
Neil Michael Joseph said that six saplings volition beryllium planted for each six scored by the squad and 4 saplings for each boundary. The plantation thrust volition beryllium carried retired successful Challakere of Chitradurga district.
The squad volition besides spot h2o bowls for birds and animals successful Kalaburagi for each wicket taken during the tournament.
Local talent
Young players from the Raichur region, including Sheethal Kumar, Santosh Hatti and Tippareddy, person been included successful the squad.
The franchise said that the enactment of section players reflects its committedness to promoting cricket endowment from North Karnataka.
