113/10 (15.3)
CR : 7.29
177/5 (20.0)
CR : 8.85
North Mumbai Panthers won by 64 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Tanush Kotian
1/1937(19)*
O Tarmale 0(3)
c&b R Sawant
4s/6s
0/0
SR
0.00
Over 16
Eagle Thane Strikers 113/10
Onkar Tarmale0(3)
Shivansh Singh1(1)
Rahul Sawant2-21(2.3)
NMP won by 64 runs
10:30 PM IST and Local Time: Eagle Thane Strikers have been completely obliterated by the North Mumbai Panthers. Panthers have won four matches on a trot and with this gargantuan victory by 64 runs, they have become the first team in this edition of Mumbai T20 2026 to qualify for the semi-final.
Wankhede Stadium's surface was turning and gripping today. It was very conducive to spinners and Shardul Thakur, the Eagle Thane Strikers captain kept himself out of the attack and bowled 16 overs of spin. Atharva Ankolekar and Kartik Mishra started with the new ball and the latter removed the NMP skipper Ajinkya Rahane as a sharp away turn knocked over his off stump. That brought Hardik Tamore and Abhigyan Kundu in the crease. Tamore took the aggressor's role and he scored a fine 43 off 29 balls. His partnership of 59 runs with Kundu for the second wicket helped the Panthers to not feel the early wicket's pressure. Tamore initially struggled to time the ball but as the game progressed, he hit those inside out shots to perfection.
Abhigyan was joined by Ayush Vartak and Anish Chaudhery. Anish and Ayush were the stars of the last day but got out for cheap scores. Kundu and Tanush Kotian were in the middle and they added 21 for the 5th wicket. Despite it being a tough wicket to bat on, Kundu stepped out against the spinners and got to the pitch of the ball to play his shots. His 53 off 41 with 6 fours and a maximum created an impact.
Tanush Kotian and Vaibhav Mali added 52 runs in their partnership in 21 balls and remained unbeaten. Onkar Tarmale conceded 36 in his last two overs and Kotian remained unbeaten on 37. He was the aggressor against pace while his partner Vaibhav was taking the attack to the spin. Mali assisted him with a good cameo of 15 facing 8 balls. Panthers put up a massive score of 177/5 on the board.
For the Eagle Thane Strikers, Kartik Mishra and Shashikant Kadam picked up 2 wickets each but the latter was more economical. Siddhant Singh got a wicket. Onkar Tarmale conceded 52 from his 4 overs.
In pursuit of the 178-run target, Sumeir Zaveri tonked Mohit Avasthi for 14 runs in the first 5 balls but Avasthi enforced an outside edge of him in the final ball of the first over. Shashwat Jagtap, the other opener fell because of an immaculate planning of NMP skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Shashikant Kadam was sent as a floater but he failed to impress as he got out for 7. Sairaj Patil played his shots and hit 2 fours and 2 sixes in his first 6 balls. He was dropped in the 7th ball of his innings at long-on but in the next ball, he found the fielder at the same region. He got the start but was dismissed scoring just 25. After the powerplay, the Thane Strikers were 61/4 and the damage had been done.
The rest of the batters were undone by the Panthers' spinners. Eknath Kerkar, Atharva Ankolekar, Siddhant Singh and Vinay Kunwar failed. Shardul Thakur struggled 14 balls to get just 6 runs. Eventually they could add 52 more to the tally and lost the remaining 6 wickets in the next 57 balls, losing the match by 64 runs.
For the North Mumbai Panthers, it was a team effort in bowling. No bowler went wicketless. Pravesh Pal, Mohit Avasthi, Rahul Sawant and Vaibhav Mali picked up 2 wickets each. Tanush Kotian and Pratik Mishra picked up a wicket each.
Wankhede Stadium's surface was turning and gripping today. It was very conducive to spinners and Shardul Thakur, the Eagle Thane Strikers captain kept himself out of the attack and bowled 16 overs of spin. Atharva Ankolekar and Kartik Mishra started with the new ball and the latter removed the NMP skipper Ajinkya Rahane as a sharp away turn knocked over his off stump. That brought Hardik Tamore and Abhigyan Kundu in the crease. Tamore took the aggressor's role and he scored a fine 43 off 29 balls. His partnership of 59 runs with Kundu for the second wicket helped the Panthers to not feel the early wicket's pressure. Tamore initially struggled to time the ball but as the game progressed, he hit those inside out shots to perfection.
Abhigyan was joined by Ayush Vartak and Anish Chaudhery. Anish and Ayush were the stars of the last day but got out for cheap scores. Kundu and Tanush Kotian were in the middle and they added 21 for the 5th wicket. Despite it being a tough wicket to bat on, Kundu stepped out against the spinners and got to the pitch of the ball to play his shots. His 53 off 41 with 6 fours and a maximum created an impact.
Tanush Kotian and Vaibhav Mali added 52 runs in their partnership in 21 balls and remained unbeaten. Onkar Tarmale conceded 36 in his last two overs and Kotian remained unbeaten on 37. He was the aggressor against pace while his partner Vaibhav was taking the attack to the spin. Mali assisted him with a good cameo of 15 facing 8 balls. Panthers put up a massive score of 177/5 on the board.
For the Eagle Thane Strikers, Kartik Mishra and Shashikant Kadam picked up 2 wickets each but the latter was more economical. Siddhant Singh got a wicket. Onkar Tarmale conceded 52 from his 4 overs.
In pursuit of the 178-run target, Sumeir Zaveri tonked Mohit Avasthi for 14 runs in the first 5 balls but Avasthi enforced an outside edge of him in the final ball of the first over. Shashwat Jagtap, the other opener fell because of an immaculate planning of NMP skipper Ajinkya Rahane. Shashikant Kadam was sent as a floater but he failed to impress as he got out for 7. Sairaj Patil played his shots and hit 2 fours and 2 sixes in his first 6 balls. He was dropped in the 7th ball of his innings at long-on but in the next ball, he found the fielder at the same region. He got the start but was dismissed scoring just 25. After the powerplay, the Thane Strikers were 61/4 and the damage had been done.
The rest of the batters were undone by the Panthers' spinners. Eknath Kerkar, Atharva Ankolekar, Siddhant Singh and Vinay Kunwar failed. Shardul Thakur struggled 14 balls to get just 6 runs. Eventually they could add 52 more to the tally and lost the remaining 6 wickets in the next 57 balls, losing the match by 64 runs.
For the North Mumbai Panthers, it was a team effort in bowling. No bowler went wicketless. Pravesh Pal, Mohit Avasthi, Rahul Sawant and Vaibhav Mali picked up 2 wickets each. Tanush Kotian and Pratik Mishra picked up a wicket each.
Shardul Thakur (Eagle Thane Strikers Captain): "After 10 overs it changed a lot. Our top four batters gave us a good start. I think we should have carried on. We lacked the calculation about when to attack and when to get slow.
(North Mumbai Panthers got steady partnerships. What went wrong in the bowling?) The partnership for the third wicket was fine. We knew that we could put the brakes. We had a better powerplay than them. You know it was really up to the individuals about how to carry the innings. Knocking around, taking singles and attack on the loose balls was needed and we failed there.
(Talks to the team after this game) I do not know. Those equations are tough. Every time we step in, we have to give our best. We were not anywhere near our best. That's not something you would expect."
(North Mumbai Panthers got steady partnerships. What went wrong in the bowling?) The partnership for the third wicket was fine. We knew that we could put the brakes. We had a better powerplay than them. You know it was really up to the individuals about how to carry the innings. Knocking around, taking singles and attack on the loose balls was needed and we failed there.
(Talks to the team after this game) I do not know. Those equations are tough. Every time we step in, we have to give our best. We were not anywhere near our best. That's not something you would expect."
Player of the Match: Tanush Kotian
Tanush Kotian (Player of the Match): (What do you like more? Batting or bowling?) I like to play as per the situation. I love when I step up for my team as the situation demands.
(The ball was turning and what was the thought of you while batting?) Yes it was turning. While batting I tried to stay till the end. I knew that I could execute if I take it deep. I am happy to contribute.
(It was ideal for spin bowling) Yes it was gripping well. I knew that if I bowl in good areas then I will get the turn and bounce. Fielders backed it up really well. Ajju da backed me too.
(As a team, you are a good fielding side) We keep our main fielders in the crucial spots. I think that keeps the pressure on the team and it has been giving us the momentum."
(The ball was turning and what was the thought of you while batting?) Yes it was turning. While batting I tried to stay till the end. I knew that I could execute if I take it deep. I am happy to contribute.
(It was ideal for spin bowling) Yes it was gripping well. I knew that if I bowl in good areas then I will get the turn and bounce. Fielders backed it up really well. Ajju da backed me too.
(As a team, you are a good fielding side) We keep our main fielders in the crucial spots. I think that keeps the pressure on the team and it has been giving us the momentum."
Ajinkya Rahane (North Mumbai Panthers Captain): "(What a convincing victory that was!) Really happy. Combined with the bat first and the bowling unit has been impressive. The last four games have gone well. I do not want to say anything far too ahead. I am really happy for everyone. Mental aspect wise everyone showed good character.
(You were making those field changes. Was that catch (of Shashwat Jagtap) pre-planned?) Most of the times, it is all my gut feeling. I think I have played so many games and I try to observe. We knew that anything outside off from a fast bowler was easy to play shots and they would have played straight. Bowler thought that square leg and long-on was perfect and I went as per my gut feeling.
(You are already in the semi-final. How do you want to progress now?) For me, the message for everyone will be staying calm, composed and humble. Respecting the game is all we can do. Playing one game at a time and taking it forward is important. We are happy as a unit but we want to stay in the moment."
(You were making those field changes. Was that catch (of Shashwat Jagtap) pre-planned?) Most of the times, it is all my gut feeling. I think I have played so many games and I try to observe. We knew that anything outside off from a fast bowler was easy to play shots and they would have played straight. Bowler thought that square leg and long-on was perfect and I went as per my gut feeling.
(You are already in the semi-final. How do you want to progress now?) For me, the message for everyone will be staying calm, composed and humble. Respecting the game is all we can do. Playing one game at a time and taking it forward is important. We are happy as a unit but we want to stay in the moment."
That marks the end of our coverage from the Sunday double-header of Mumbai T20 2026 between Eagle Thane Strikers and North Mumbai Panthers. North Mumbai Panthers have defeated the Eagle Thane Strikers by a massive margin of 64 runs and have become the first team to qualify for the semi-final.
For now, this is Saptak Sanyal signing off on behalf of the scorer/analyst of this match Ashok Dayma. Good night.
For now, this is Saptak Sanyal signing off on behalf of the scorer/analyst of this match Ashok Dayma. Good night.