Batting first, the Mangalore Masters showcased their trademark blend of aggression and control. Openers Rahul Shetty and Farzuk Yusuf stitched a crucial stand, punishing loose deliveries with ease. Rahul’s quickfire 31 off 22 and Farzuk’s calm 37 steadied the ship, but it was Suhail Zaki who stole the show. His explosive 57 off 27 balls, laced with audacious drives and towering sixes, swung momentum Mangalore’s way. Despite a few late wickets, the middle order ensured the tempo never dipped, pushing the scoreboard to 195/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Mumbai’s bowlers, though valiant, struggled to apply the brakes—Saheer Mohammed held some control, while Shamnad Ashraf’s late breakthroughs came too little, too late.

When Mumbai Rangers came out to chase, they needed both composure and aggression—but neither clicked at the right time. Openers Pranil Khadtale and Sahil Chauhan looked promising, with Pranil’s fluent 34 offering a glimmer of resistance. Yet, as the asking rate mounted, cracks began to show. The middle order was systematically dismantled by Mangalore’s disciplined bowling unit. Every attempt at acceleration found a fielder; every boundary was earned the hard way.