Karnataka withstand Bengal's 96-run fightback to seal a 19-run SMAT win96 रन की साझेदारी भी नहीं बचा सकी बंगाल को, कर्नाटक ने 19 रन से जीती बाज़ी

Bengal had a 96-run stand and a target of 185 in their sights, but Karnataka held their nerve to win Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Elite Match 3 by 19 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Bengal finished on 165/9 in their 20 overs, chasing Karnataka's 184.

Karnataka's top-order push

Karnataka were bowled out for 184 in 20.0 overs, and the innings was built on quick scoring from several batters rather than one long knock. Karun Nair top-scored with 53 off 35 balls, hitting seven fours. Manish Pandey contributed 29 off 23 balls with five fours.

The sharpest burst came from Pandey and Luvnith Sisodia, who added 47 runs in just 23 balls. Sisodia made 27 off 12 balls with four fours and a six before he was out leg before wicket. Pravin Dubey then finished unbeaten on 30 off 15 balls, including three fours and a six.

For Bengal, Sayan Ghosh was the pick of the bowlers with 4/28 in his four overs. Pradipta Pramanik took 2/19 and Mukesh Kumar 2/45, while Mohammad Shami went for 56 runs in four overs for one wicket. Shahbaz Ahmed conceded 34 without a wicket.

Bengal's strong stand, then the slide

Bengal's reply was revived by Shahbaz Ahmed and Sudip Gharami, who put on 96 runs in 59 balls. Gharami made 65 off 42 balls with six fours and four sixes, while Shahbaz hit 56 off 37 balls, including two fours and four sixes. That partnership kept Bengal in the contest.

But Karnataka's bowlers kept finding wickets around it, and Bengal ended up nine down. Abhilash Shetty was the standout with 4/26 in four overs. Vijaykumar Vyshak added 3/28, and Manvanth Kumar took 2/35. Pramanik hit 12 off 9 balls and Shakir Habib Gandhi 11 off 9, but neither could add the late acceleration Bengal needed.

The defining contribution

Karnataka's bowling, led by Abhilash Shetty's four wickets and supported by Vyshak's three, ensured the Gharami-Shahbaz stand did not become a winning one. The result was a 19-run win for Karnataka in Elite Match 3 of the 2026/27 season.