Mysuru: In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, 23-year-old Karnataka opener Lochan Gowda set the stage ablaze in the Maharaja T20 Trophy, hammering an astonishing 32 runs in a single over during a high-octane clash in Mysuru. The young batter’s explosive performance, which included five sixes, has sent ripples through the cricketing world, spotlighting his potential as a future star ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.
The 24th match of the Maharaja T20 Trophy saw Mangaluru Dragons lock horns with Shivamogga Lions at Mysuru’s scenic venue. Batting first, the Dragons posted a formidable total of 200 runs in their 20 overs, largely propelled by Gowda’s scintillating knock. The right-handed opener smashed 63 runs off just 32 balls, anchoring his team’s innings with a blend of aggression and finesse. His defining moment came in the 11th over, bowled by Lions’ pacer D. Ashok, which Gowda turned into a spectacle of six-hitting prowess.
Gowda launched the over with a towering six and followed it with three more consecutive maximums, sending the ball soaring beyond the boundary line with effortless ease. Although the fifth ball yielded only a couple of runs, he capped the over with yet another six, amassing a jaw-dropping 32 runs – a haul that accounted for more than half of his total 63 runs. His innings, studded with five sixes and two fours, left the Lions’ bowling attack shell-shocked and the crowd roaring in disbelief.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) shared the electrifying moment on social media, hailing Gowda as a “future superstar” whose “thunderous sixes” bore testimony to his talent. With the IPL auction looming in the coming months, performances like these are likely to bolster Gowda’s prospects, as domestic players vie for attention in state T20 leagues to secure lucrative contracts.
Despite Gowda’s heroics, the match remained a nail-biter. Chasing 201, Shivamogga Lions mounted a spirited response, led by their opener Tushar Singh, who blazed his way to 89 runs off 48 balls, smashing seven sixes and six fours. Hardik Raj chipped in with a quickfire 32 off 14 balls, bringing the Lions tantalisingly close to the target. However, with six runs needed off the final delivery, the Lions fell agonisingly short, losing by five runs in a thrilling finish.
Gowda’s remarkable feat has not only illuminated the Maharaja T20 Trophy but also underscored the depth of talent in India’s domestic circuit. As the countdown to the IPL auction begins, all eyes will be on this young dynamo, whose bat has spoken louder than words.
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