Jabalpur Royal Lions Secure Thrilling Win Against Gwalior Cheetahs in MPL T20

In an exhilarating match at the MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026, the Jabalpur Royal Lions secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over the Gwalior Cheetahs. Chasing a target of 186, the Lions faced early setbacks but a remarkable partnership between Sanjog Nijjar and Rahul Batham turned the game around. Nijjar's unbeaten 66 runs off 30 balls led the team to victory with just two balls to spare. This win marked a significant comeback for the Lions after previous defeats. Read on for detailed match insights and player reflections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 22, 2026, 07:45 IST

Exciting Match Overview

In a nail-biting finish, the Jabalpur Royal Lions triumphed over the Gwalior Cheetahs by three wickets, successfully chasing a target of 186 runs with just two balls remaining during the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 held at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday.

Gwalior Cheetahs' Innings Breakdown

Gwalior Cheetahs batted first, setting a challenging score of 185/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The opening pair of Kartik Parihar and Parth Chaudhary laid a solid foundation, contributing 36 runs before Parihar was dismissed for 15 runs off 17 balls. Chaudhary then partnered with Kuldeep Gehi, adding another 30 runs before he was out for a quick 39 runs off 23 balls.

Gehi played a pivotal role in stabilizing the innings, receiving valuable support from captain Rajat Patidar, who has represented India in four international matches. Together, they formed a significant 80-run partnership for the third wicket, placing the Cheetahs in a strong position. Patidar, who had a lucky escape due to a no-ball, scored 37 runs off 27 balls before his dismissal.

Gehi finished with an impressive 57 runs off 39 balls before being dismissed late in the innings. Arpit Patel added a finishing touch with an unbeaten 21 runs off 12 balls. Punit Datey was the standout bowler for the Royal Lions, delivering an economical performance with figures of 1/23 in four overs.

Royal Lions' Chase Strategy

The Royal Lions faced a rocky start in their chase, losing wickets frequently and finding themselves at 86/5 by the 12th over, with their top scorer, Ajay Rohera, already out.

In a crucial moment, Rahul Batham and Sanjog Nijjar joined forces to stabilize the innings, forming a vital 61-run partnership. This effort brought the target down to 50 runs needed from the last four overs. Batham's innings ended due to a mix-up with Nijjar, leading to his run-out for 21 runs off 16 balls, leaving the Lions needing 39 runs from the final 20 balls.

Nijjar, however, remained composed and took control of the chase. The required runs dwindled to 30 from three overs and then to 11 from the last two. Despite another setback with Punit Datey being run out for 14 runs off 9 balls, Nijjar's remarkable unbeaten 66 runs off just 30 balls ensured the Royal Lions crossed the finish line.

Sanjog Nijjar Reflects on the Victory

After bouncing back from consecutive losses, the Lions celebrated their victory. Sanjog Nijjar expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform, stating, "I am thankful to God for allowing me to bat on such a significant platform. The franchise and management showed immense faith in me, which boosted my confidence. Success is challenging without self-belief, and I appreciate everyone who supported me."

"The strategy was straightforward: focus on the ball and play accordingly. I concentrated on staying calm, breathing properly, and maintaining clear intentions. We emphasize positive intent, and when your mindset is right, things tend to align perfectly," he concluded.