152/7 (19.5)
CR : 7.66
148/10 (20.0)
CR : 7.40
MSC Maratha Royals won by 3 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Chinmay Sutar
62(49)*
19.5
4
Mohit Avasthi to Rohan Raje
FOUR!!! Rohan has struck a boundary to seal a spot in the finals for Maratha Royals. Low full toss, on middle and leg, Rohan smashes this toward the long on region for a boundary. The Royals have won this by 3 wickets and they'll be in with a chance to defend their title.
Over 20
MSC Maratha Royals 152/7
Rohan Raje20(12)
Chinmay Sutar62(49)
Mohit Avasthi3-35(3.5)
MMR won by 3 wickets
10:47 PM IST, LOCAL TIME: Champions are not the side that never falls... but the side that always finds a way to rise again. Did the defending champions make life difficult for themselves? Absolutely. Did they still find a way? You bet. In a gripping second semi-final of the Mumbai T20 2026, MSC Maratha Royals survived a fierce challenge from North Mumbai Panthers to chase down 149 with just one ball to spare, finishing on 152/7 in 19.5 overs and booking their place in the final against Arc Andheri at the Wankhede Stadium on June 13. The Panthers had the Royals reeling at multiple stages, but a magnificent unbeaten 62 from Chinmay Sutar and a composed finishing act from Rohan Raje sealed a dramatic three-wicket win. Questions were asked. Answers arrived. And now the Royals march on.
Let's rewind a bit...
How did the Panthers fare after being asked to bat? They began steadily but never truly managed to break free. Ajinkya Rahane struck a six during his 12 off 8 before Aditya Dhumal accounted for the skipper at 17/1 in the third over. Hardik Tamore chipped in with 11, but Atharva Bhosale removed him soon after. At the end of the Powerplay, the Panthers were 51/2 and searching for momentum. Who provided it? Anish Chaudhery and Abhigyan Kundu. The pair absorbed pressure smartly and began rebuilding the innings while the Royals tried to tighten the screws through Maxwell Swaminathan and Dhumal.
What changed the complexion of the innings in the middle overs? The 39-run partnership between Chaudhery and Kundu. Chaudhery's 33 off 27 featured three sixes, while Kundu anchored beautifully with 40 off 36 balls. The Panthers moved from 35/2 to 78/3 before Rohan Raje broke through by dismissing Chaudhery in the 11th over. Kundu then found support from Ayush Vartak as the score crossed 100 in the 15th over. Was 160-plus on the cards? It certainly looked possible at one stage. But the Royals had other plans, and they came in the form of Tushar Deshpande.
How important were the death overs? Hugely. Tushar Deshpande delivered a masterclass under pressure, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/21. He removed Tanush Kotian, Rohit Pol, Vaibhav Mali, and Mohit Avasthi, triggering a collapse that denied the Panthers crucial late runs. Rohit Pol's explosive 21 off 12 threatened to take the total beyond 160, but wickets tumbled regularly. From 133/5 in the 18th over, the Panthers eventually closed on 148 all out. Looking back now, would North Mumbai Panthers feel they left 15-20 runs behind? Most certainly. In a knockout game, those missing runs often become the difference between survival and heartbreak.
Then... came the Chase!!
And what drama unfolded in the very first over! Could anyone have imagined the Royals would lose both openers for ducks while chasing only 149? Mohit Avasthi produced a sensational opening over, dismissing Sahil Jadhav off the very first ball and Aryan Patni on the fifth delivery. Suddenly, the defending champions were 5/2 and staring at disaster. But then entered Ayaz Ahmed Afzal. What followed was a counterattack straight from the champion's handbook. Five fours. One six. Thirty-two runs from just 17 deliveries. Alongside Chinmay Sutar, he added a match-defining 51-run stand that dragged the Royals right back into the contest. The Powerplay ended at 56/3 after Mohit returned to clean up Afzal, but the Royals had regained belief.
Did the Panthers strike back after the Powerplay? They certainly did. Pravesh Pal made an immediate impact, dismissing Siddhesh Lad for 5 as the Royals slipped to 62/4. Then came a costly mix-up. Om Bangar was run out for just 1 at 67/5, leaving the Royals wobbling badly at the halfway stage on 72/5. The knockout pressure was real. The Panthers sensed an opening. Yet Chinmay Sutar remained calm amidst the storm. At the other end, Maxwell Swaminathan gradually found rhythm. Their sixth-wicket partnership became the game's turning point, absorbing pressure, rotating strike, and ensuring the asking rate never spiralled out of control.
When did the game swing back towards the Royals? Through patience. Through composure. Through Chinmay Sutar. The right-hander stitched together a vital 47-run stand with Swaminathan, carrying the chase from danger towards stability. However, Pravesh wasn't done yet. His sensational 16th over changed the narrative again as he dismissed Swaminathan for 28 and then removed Tushar Deshpande for a duck on consecutive deliveries. At 114/7, the Royals were wobbling once more. The equation read 35 needed off 24 balls. Then 31 needed off 18. Then 20 needed off 12. Every over felt like a final in itself. Every dot ball carried weight.
Who held their nerve in the closing moments? Chinmay Sutar and Rohan Raje. Sutar produced a captain's knock without the title, remaining unbeaten on a superb 62 from 49 deliveries with five fours and a six. Rohan played the perfect supporting role, striking 20 not out from just 12 balls. Their unbroken eighth-wicket partnership guided the Royals home despite the Panthers refusing to surrender. Fifteen runs came from the penultimate over, leaving only five needed in the last. Mohit fought bravely once again, but the target was too close. And fittingly, it was Rohan Raje who finished the contest with a boundary in the final over to spark celebrations in the Royals camp.
Let's rewind a bit...
How did the Panthers fare after being asked to bat? They began steadily but never truly managed to break free. Ajinkya Rahane struck a six during his 12 off 8 before Aditya Dhumal accounted for the skipper at 17/1 in the third over. Hardik Tamore chipped in with 11, but Atharva Bhosale removed him soon after. At the end of the Powerplay, the Panthers were 51/2 and searching for momentum. Who provided it? Anish Chaudhery and Abhigyan Kundu. The pair absorbed pressure smartly and began rebuilding the innings while the Royals tried to tighten the screws through Maxwell Swaminathan and Dhumal.
What changed the complexion of the innings in the middle overs? The 39-run partnership between Chaudhery and Kundu. Chaudhery's 33 off 27 featured three sixes, while Kundu anchored beautifully with 40 off 36 balls. The Panthers moved from 35/2 to 78/3 before Rohan Raje broke through by dismissing Chaudhery in the 11th over. Kundu then found support from Ayush Vartak as the score crossed 100 in the 15th over. Was 160-plus on the cards? It certainly looked possible at one stage. But the Royals had other plans, and they came in the form of Tushar Deshpande.
How important were the death overs? Hugely. Tushar Deshpande delivered a masterclass under pressure, finishing with outstanding figures of 4/21. He removed Tanush Kotian, Rohit Pol, Vaibhav Mali, and Mohit Avasthi, triggering a collapse that denied the Panthers crucial late runs. Rohit Pol's explosive 21 off 12 threatened to take the total beyond 160, but wickets tumbled regularly. From 133/5 in the 18th over, the Panthers eventually closed on 148 all out. Looking back now, would North Mumbai Panthers feel they left 15-20 runs behind? Most certainly. In a knockout game, those missing runs often become the difference between survival and heartbreak.
Then... came the Chase!!
And what drama unfolded in the very first over! Could anyone have imagined the Royals would lose both openers for ducks while chasing only 149? Mohit Avasthi produced a sensational opening over, dismissing Sahil Jadhav off the very first ball and Aryan Patni on the fifth delivery. Suddenly, the defending champions were 5/2 and staring at disaster. But then entered Ayaz Ahmed Afzal. What followed was a counterattack straight from the champion's handbook. Five fours. One six. Thirty-two runs from just 17 deliveries. Alongside Chinmay Sutar, he added a match-defining 51-run stand that dragged the Royals right back into the contest. The Powerplay ended at 56/3 after Mohit returned to clean up Afzal, but the Royals had regained belief.
Did the Panthers strike back after the Powerplay? They certainly did. Pravesh Pal made an immediate impact, dismissing Siddhesh Lad for 5 as the Royals slipped to 62/4. Then came a costly mix-up. Om Bangar was run out for just 1 at 67/5, leaving the Royals wobbling badly at the halfway stage on 72/5. The knockout pressure was real. The Panthers sensed an opening. Yet Chinmay Sutar remained calm amidst the storm. At the other end, Maxwell Swaminathan gradually found rhythm. Their sixth-wicket partnership became the game's turning point, absorbing pressure, rotating strike, and ensuring the asking rate never spiralled out of control.
When did the game swing back towards the Royals? Through patience. Through composure. Through Chinmay Sutar. The right-hander stitched together a vital 47-run stand with Swaminathan, carrying the chase from danger towards stability. However, Pravesh wasn't done yet. His sensational 16th over changed the narrative again as he dismissed Swaminathan for 28 and then removed Tushar Deshpande for a duck on consecutive deliveries. At 114/7, the Royals were wobbling once more. The equation read 35 needed off 24 balls. Then 31 needed off 18. Then 20 needed off 12. Every over felt like a final in itself. Every dot ball carried weight.
Who held their nerve in the closing moments? Chinmay Sutar and Rohan Raje. Sutar produced a captain's knock without the title, remaining unbeaten on a superb 62 from 49 deliveries with five fours and a six. Rohan played the perfect supporting role, striking 20 not out from just 12 balls. Their unbroken eighth-wicket partnership guided the Royals home despite the Panthers refusing to surrender. Fifteen runs came from the penultimate over, leaving only five needed in the last. Mohit fought bravely once again, but the target was too close. And fittingly, it was Rohan Raje who finished the contest with a boundary in the final over to spark celebrations in the Royals camp.
Ajinkya Rahane (Skipper of North Mumbai Panthers): (On the game) "A really good game, as with 140-150 on the board, we knew we were 10-15 runs short, and the way we bowled and the character we showed in the field was superb, and lots to learn for everyone.
(On assessing the conditions) After the first 6 overs, we thought 160-170on this track would be ideal on this track, and strike rotation was going to be key, as at times the players forget that rotating the strike is key, but the guys are really good, and I am sure they'll learn as this side is really young. I do not want to point fingers at anybody, but I really think this bunch of players will learn, and the way we played and conducted ourselves as a team has been amazing.
(On the decision to keep the field up in the last over) Obviously, you have to communicate with the bowler, but as a captain, I back my instincts, and at times it backfires as well. We knew that had we taken wickets in the first 6 overs, it would be difficult for them to chase this, but with just 149 needed, it always needed one batter to stand up, and that's what happened at the end.
(On the tournament as a whole) Yes, we have a really good team and tournament, but a one-off has just crashed us out. We have a really great set of players, and I am confident that this side will come back stronger from this."
(On the tournament as a whole) Yes, we have a really good team and tournament, but a one-off has just crashed us out. We have a really great set of players, and I am confident that this side will come back stronger from this."
Time for the Post-Match Presentations....
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: CHINMAY SUTAR
Chinmay Sutar (Player of the Match): (On his form during the tournament) "Yes, I was getting the starts but not converting them. I think today it came out. I'm glad it came out today.
(On his batting approach) My thought process was just to stay till the end and be calm while I was batting. So that's it.
(On batting with Rohan Raje) I think we were very calm in that situation. I had faith in him because we had batted many times together. He was very calm and gave me the confidence that we would finish the game. And we did."
(On his batting approach) My thought process was just to stay till the end and be calm while I was batting. So that's it.
(On batting with Rohan Raje) I think we were very calm in that situation. I had faith in him because we had batted many times together. He was very calm and gave me the confidence that we would finish the game. And we did."
Siddhesh Lad (Skipper of MSC Maratha Royals) - "(On the low-scoring thriller) Firstly, I would say it was a proper semi-final as both teams played really well. We had prepared well before the tournament and these are the games you prepare for, so I am really happy with my players with the way they showed character and composure and the way the players delivered when it mattered.
(On the bowler) Our bowlers have done well throughout the season and they have done exceptionally whenever they've been called up. A special credit to Tushar, as he is coming off a really long IPL schedule, and still, he is giving his all and Tushar serves as an inspiration to all of us and as I said, we do not carry a purple cap or something in our team but it is the collective effort that is helping the side and that's what I want as a skipper.
(On Chinmay) Obviously, you know we had faith in the quality of Chinmay and this was a tricky wicket to bat on and even in the last season he did really well and it was just a matter of spending time in the middle for him and also Rohan Raje, we call him Russell Raje, and just the way he delivers towards the end with his powerful strikes and delivers when it matters the most is a joyfulf sight.
(On his own form) Sometimes even if you score and the team loses it doesn't matter so i am preparing well and at times it just doesn't happen but it is okay as far as the team is winning."
(On the bowler) Our bowlers have done well throughout the season and they have done exceptionally whenever they've been called up. A special credit to Tushar, as he is coming off a really long IPL schedule, and still, he is giving his all and Tushar serves as an inspiration to all of us and as I said, we do not carry a purple cap or something in our team but it is the collective effort that is helping the side and that's what I want as a skipper.
(On Chinmay) Obviously, you know we had faith in the quality of Chinmay and this was a tricky wicket to bat on and even in the last season he did really well and it was just a matter of spending time in the middle for him and also Rohan Raje, we call him Russell Raje, and just the way he delivers towards the end with his powerful strikes and delivers when it matters the most is a joyfulf sight.
(On his own form) Sometimes even if you score and the team loses it doesn't matter so i am preparing well and at times it just doesn't happen but it is okay as far as the team is winning."
What does this result mean? For the MSC Maratha Royals, it means another shot at glory. The defending champions are through to the Mumbai T20 2026 final, where Arcs Andheri await in a blockbuster showdown at the Wankhede Stadium. For the North Mumbai Panthers, it is heartbreak, but also a campaign they can be proud of. Yet again, cricket can be cruel. The Panthers fought. The Royals survived. And as the lights dim on a thrilling semi-final, one thing is clear... champions may bend, but they rarely break.
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Ajay Pal Singh, Tarun, and scorer Ashok Dayma. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!!
Until then, I am Dev Rajawat, signing off, along with my co-commentators, Ajay Pal Singh, Tarun, and scorer Ashok Dayma. That’s it from our side. Thanks for joining. But cricket doesn’t sleep. Plenty is happening around the world. Switch tabs, follow the fun. Goodbye from this tab! TAKE CARE! BREATHE AND SMILE! CIAO!!!!