Mysuru: Nikin Jose smashed the first century of the DACSS Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 as Coastal Kings Mangaluru registered a commanding eight-wicket victory over Gulbarga Mystics on Monday.

The stylish opener remained unbeaten on 100 off just 47 deliveries, guiding Coastal Kings to 181/2 in 16.3 overs while chasing a target of 178. Jose fittingly completed his century with back-to-back sixes, sealing the victory with 21 balls to spare.

The win marked Coastal Kings Mangaluru’s first victory of the tournament after their opening match against Hubli Tigers was washed out. Gulbarga Mystics, meanwhile, suffered their second consecutive defeat.

Jose and Karun Nair dominate chase

Coastal Kings lost Muralidhara Venkatesh early in the innings but quickly regained control through a magnificent partnership between Nikin Jose and captain Karun Nair.

The duo added 96 runs for the second wicket in just 52 deliveries, putting the chase firmly in Coastal Kings’ favour.

Karun Nair played an elegant knock of 56 off 36 balls, striking six boundaries and three sixes. He anchored the innings with composure before being run out following a mix-up while attempting a second run in the 12th over.

Despite the setback, Jose continued his assault on the bowlers and remained unbeaten till the end. His match-winning innings featured seven fours and eight towering sixes as he brought up the tournament’s first century in style.

Manish Pandey’s fighting fifty lifts Mystics

Earlier, Gulbarga Mystics recovered from a shaky start to post 177 all out in 19.5 overs, thanks largely to a brilliant counter-attacking innings from captain Manish Pandey.

After early wickets reduced the Mystics to a precarious position, Pandey combined with Dhruv Prabhakar for a crucial 61-run partnership for the seventh wicket in just 31 balls.

Pandey raced to a 24-ball half-century and eventually scored 70 off 34 deliveries, including seven fours and three sixes. Dhruv Prabhakar provided valuable support with 22 runs off 14 balls.

Prakhar Chaturvedi and Thippa Reddy also contributed 25 runs each.

Coastal Kings bowlers trigger late collapse

Gulbarga Mystics appeared set for a total well beyond 190 when they reached 176/6 entering the final over. However, the innings ended dramatically as they lost four wickets for just one run in the last five deliveries.

Medium pacer C.A. Karthik sparked the collapse by dismissing Pandey leg-before with the first ball of the final over. Two run-outs followed before Ronit More was bowled as the innings closed at 177.

Karthik finished with impressive figures of 2/15, while Shreyas Gopal claimed 3/40 and Vasuki Koushik picked up 2/32.

Brief Scores

Gulbarga Mystics: 177 all out in 19.5 overs
(Manish Pandey 70, Prakhar Chaturvedi 25, Thippa Reddy 25, Dhruv Prabhakar 22; Shreyas Gopal 3/40, Vasuki Koushik 2/32, C.A. Karthik 2/15)

Coastal Kings Mangaluru: 181/2 in 16.3 overs
(Nikin Jose 100* off 47 balls, 7×4, 8×6; Karun Nair 56 off 36 balls, 6×4, 3×6)

Result: Coastal Kings Mangaluru won by 8 wickets.