Lucknow: A pulsating contest under lights at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium saw Kashi Rudras edge out Noida Super Kings by 14 runs in the 23rd match of the Uttar Pradesh Premier League 2025. The evening belonged to Shivam Mavi, who produced a decisive all-round performance—hammering a 28 off 11 balls before dismantling Noida’s top order with a four-wicket burst. His effort not only sealed the victory but also earned him the Player of the Match award.
Kashi Rudras Build to 168 with Late Surge
Asked to bat first, Kashi Rudras posted a competitive 168 for 6 in 20 overs, thanks largely to their lower middle-order.
The innings started tentatively, with openers failing to dictate terms against Noida’s disciplined seamers. But Deepak Rana (22 off 22) and Saksham Rai (31 off 25) steadied proceedings with a crucial stand. Their partnership anchored the innings through the middle overs, blunting the threat of Karn Sharma, who bowled superbly for figures of 2 for 19 in his four overs.
The real momentum shift came in the final overs. Shubham Chaubey (26 off 17) injected urgency, striking boundaries at critical junctures. Then, it was the turn of Shivam Mavi, promoted up the order. Known for his bowling, Mavi unleashed a fearless cameo—28 runs off just 11 deliveries, laced with two fours and two towering sixes. His fireworks lifted Rudras from a modest 140 to a commanding 168.
For Noida, Prashant Veer (2/35) and Karn Sharma ensured some control, but Mavi’s cameo meant Rudras finished with a flourish.
Noida’s Chase Starts Slowly
In pursuit of 169, Noida Super Kings never quite recovered from a sluggish start. Openers Shivam Chaudhary (20 off 20) and Anivesh Choudhary (12 off 21) struggled for fluency, scratching their way to 32 runs in the Powerplay. The lack of early acceleration piled pressure on the middle order.
It was Shivam Mavi again who tilted the game firmly in Kashi’s favour. Introduced in the sixth over, he dismissed Shivam Chaudhary with a well-directed short ball. Then came the carnage in his second spell: Anivesh Choudhary, Ravi Singh, and Mohamed Amaan all perished in quick succession. At 42 for 4 in the eighth over, Noida’s chase was left in tatters.
Middle Overs Collapse
The Rudras kept the screws tight with spin from both ends. Kartik Yadav (1/23) and Shiva Singh (0/20) stifled the scoring, while Rishabh Rajput chipped in with the wicket of Satyam Sangu (12). When Priyanshu Pandey (10) fell soon after, the Kings slumped to 69 for 6 in the 13th over.
At that point, the match seemed all but over. With 100 runs still needed in the last seven overs and only four wickets in hand, the Rudras appeared cruising to victory.
Veer and Karn Launch Stunning Counterattack
Just when the contest looked one-sided, Prashant Veer and Karn Sharma staged a breathtaking fightback.
Veer, who had already impressed with the ball, showcased his batting range with crisp stroke-play. He targeted the straighter boundaries, clearing the ropes with clean hitting. Karn, at the other end, brought aggression of his own, taking on Atal Bihari Rai in the 17th and 18th overs.
In a remarkable assault, the duo plundered 53 runs between overs 17 and 19, including three sixes and five boundaries. Noida suddenly required 27 from the last two overs, and the Ekana crowd roared back to life sensing an improbable turnaround.
Rajput Holds His Nerve
Captaincy instincts proved decisive as Rudras skipper threw the ball to Rishabh Rajput for the final over. The right-arm seamer had already picked up a wicket earlier and carried the task of stopping two set batters.
Rajput began nervously with a boundary and a six from Veer, momentarily swinging the equation Noida’s way. But the bowler quickly regained composure, mixing yorkers with slower balls. Despite Veer’s unbeaten 52 off 30 balls and Karn’s fluent 34 off 18, Noida could only reach 154 for 6, falling short by 14 runs.
The Turning Point
The match was effectively shaped by Mavi’s double act. His whirlwind cameo with the bat gave Rudras a cushion of 15–20 extra runs. With the ball, his spell of 4 for 37 broke the Kings’ spine in the Powerplay. Although Veer and Karn threatened a miracle, the early collapse proved too steep to overcome.
Scorecard Snapshot
- Kashi Rudras: 168/6 (20 overs) – Saksham Rai 31, Shubham Chaubey 26, Shivam Mavi 28; Karn Sharma 2/19, Prashant Veer 2/35
- Noida Kings: 154/6 (20 overs) – Prashant Veer 52*, Karn Sharma 34*; Shivam Mavi 4/37, Rajput 1/19
- Result: Kashi Rudras won by 14 runs
- Player of the Match: Shivam Mavi
The result sees Kashi Rudras strengthen their playoff bid, while Noida Super Kings slip further down the table, ruing their top-order failures. For Rudras, the emergence of Mavi as an all-round match-winner is a major positive heading into the business end of the tournament.
In a league defined by fine margins, this contest highlighted the value of clutch performances. Noida’s fightback was heroic but left too much to do after Mavi’s destruction. Ultimately, it was his night—and the Ekana crowd witnessed a classic T20 showdown that will be remembered for both Rudras’ resilience and Kings’ spirited chase.
