Maharashtra defeated Rajasthan while Karnataka dominated Kerala in crucial league matches of the 8th edition of the Nagesh Trophy – Men’s National T20 Cricket Tournament for Blind 2025 at the Railway Sports Ground in Hubali on Friday.
Maharashtra’s Thrilling Victory
In an exciting league encounter, Maharashtra managed to defeat Rajasthan by three wickets. Batting first, Rajasthan posted a score of 158/8 in 20 overs, with Vishanu Bhiya scoring 44 runs and Rohitas Pareek contributing 25 runs.
In their reply, Maharashtra chased down the target in 19.5 overs. The innings was anchored by a brilliant performance from B3 Anil Belsare, who scored 76 runs and was named Player of the Match. Parmeshwar added 29 runs, while Swapnil Dilip Wagh and Amol Karche’s competitive bowling kept the contest thrilling until the end.
Karnataka’s Commanding Performance
In the second match of the day, Karnataka thrashed Kerala by a staggering 174 runs. Karnataka showcased their dominance by posting an impressive 320/2 in 20 overs. Sunil Ramesh was the standout performer with an explosive 186 runs off 78 balls, while Bhaskar B2 supported with 59 runs from 34 balls. Gudadappa chipped in with 38 runs to help set a daunting target.
Kerala struggled in their chase, managing only 146/7 in 20 overs. Ahad B3 top-scored with 49 not out, and Arjun P added 31 runs. Karnataka’s disciplined bowling was led by Lokesha B2 with figures of 1/5 and B1-Basappa Waddagolu, who claimed 1 wicket for just 8.5 runs. Sunil Ramesh received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding innings.
About the Nagesh Trophy
The Nagesh Trophy is India’s premier national-level T20 cricket tournament for visually impaired (blind) men’s teams. This tournament attracts state and union territory teams from across the country to compete in a structured T20 format under the auspices of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), with support from organizations like the Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled.
This eighth edition of the tournament features 29 teams spread across six groups, totaling 56 league matches. The winners of Groups A, B, C, and D directly qualify for the Super 8 stage, while the two remaining spots will be decided based on Net Run Rate. Teams finishing first in Groups E and F will compete against the 7th and 8th placed teams from Groups A to D in eliminator matches to complete the Super 8 lineup.
The Nagesh Trophy is named in honor of the late S. P. Nagesh, founder president of CABI and a champion for the development of blind cricket in India. The inaugural edition took place in 2018–19 and has continued to grow annually, featuring increasing participation and competitiveness. Teams from multiple states and union territories engage each year in round-robin league matches, followed by knockout rounds and finals. Andhra Pradesh are the defending champions, clinching the title by defeating Delhi in last year’s final.