Madhav Kaushik's Powerful Performance Leads Meerut Mavericks to an Easy Win

Madhav Kaushik's Powerful Performance Leads Meerut Mavericks to an Easy Win

Meerut Mavericks defeated Kanpur Superstars by 86 runs in the opening game. Madhav Kaushik scored an unbeaten 95* in 31 balls with the help of ten fours and seven sixes. Player of the Match: Madhav Kaushik

The opening match of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2025 delivered a clear message: the Meerut Mavericks are here to play, and they aim only to win. In a one-sided affair at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, the Mavericks completely outplayed the Kanpur Superstars, securing a massive 86-run victory.

The match began with the Kanpur Superstars winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. What followed was a batting masterclass from the Mavericks, who had a different gear right from the start. While the early batsmen, Swastik Chikara and Akshay Dubey, laid a solid foundation, it was the explosive hitting of Madhav Kaushik that truly stole the show. He walked in to bat and immediately went on a rampage against the Kanpur bowlers, hitting the ball all over the ground. He scored a blazing 95 runs from just 31 balls, showing incredible power with 10 boundaries and 7 sixes. At the other end, Rituraj Sharma played a steady and composed knock, adding 60 runs from 36 balls and keeping things balanced. Their partnership was a spectacle to watch, as they hammered the Superstars' bowling attack into submission, guiding the Mavericks to a colossal total of 225 for the loss of just two wickets.

The Kanpur Superstars faced a daunting task as they set out to chase a massive target of 226 runs. Right from the start, the pressure seemed to weigh heavily on their shoulders. The Mavericks’ bowlers came out with a clear plan tight lines, sharp pace, and no freebies. Their discipline and intensity left the Superstars gasping for momentum. Openers Inzamam Hussain and Shaurya Singh fell early, unable to withstand the heat, and with their dismissals, the top order began to unravel.

Despite the early setbacks, captain Sameer Rizvi tried to steady the ship. He played with grit and determination, crafting a fighting 45 that showed glimpses of resistance. Priyanshu Gautam added a spark with a brisk 34, trying to inject some life into the chase. But the scoreboard pressure was relentless, and the Mavericks never let the game slip. Their bowlers struck at regular intervals, never allowing a partnership to flourish. Kartik Tyagi and Vijay Kumar were particularly effective, each claiming two wickets and keeping the Superstars on the back foot throughout the innings.

In the end, Kanpur could only muster 139 runs for the loss of nine wickets a total that fell well short of the target. The collapse wasn’t just about poor batting; it was a testament to the Mavericks’ all-round dominance. Their bowlers executed plans to perfection, and their fielders backed them up with sharp catches and tight ground coverage.

This emphatic win marked a dream start for the Meerut Mavericks. It wasn’t just the margin of victory it was the manner in which they outplayed their opponents in every department. Madhav Kaushik’s explosive innings earlier in the match had laid the foundation.