Kerala Super Kings came into the game with a clear plan—attack from the start—and they stuck to it. Openers provided early rhythm, with Sarun Joseph striking 41 off 28 balls and Faisal Ahamed contributing 40 from 27. Their intent was evident, targeting loose deliveries and rotating strike smartly. Even after a couple of wickets fell, Harikrishna played a valuable 26 from 17, giving the middle order momentum. The top order’s aggressive approach forced Goa’s bowlers on the defensive, and Kerala looked primed for a formidable total by the halfway stage.

The innings truly ignited when Shafeek Bin Ashraf produced a blistering 52 off just 14 balls, one of the most destructive cameos of the tournament so far. His knock, which featured three fours and six massive sixes, sent the crowd into raptures and left the bowlers shell-shocked. Akhil Mohanan’s steady hand and lower-order support further consolidated their advantage. Extras also played their part, with 28 runs conceded, pushing the final total to 222/6 in 20 overs. While Kerala’s batting clicked perfectly, their bowlers would later struggle to defend such a score, unable to contain Goa’s calculated chase.