Mangaluru Dragons Ready for Maharaja Trophy Season Opener Against Gulbarga Mystics

As the Mangaluru Dragons gear up for their season opener against the Gulbarga Mystics in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, coach Deepak Chougule expresses confidence in the team's preparation. With a balanced squad and a focus on addressing previous weaknesses, the Dragons aim to make a strong impact this season. Chougule highlights the importance of nurturing young talent and the tournament's role in providing exposure for players and coaches alike. The match is set for August 11, promising an exciting start to the season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 27, 2025, 01:51 IST

Mangaluru Dragons Prepare for Season Kickoff

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 26: The Mangaluru Dragons are set to launch their season against the Gulbarga Mystics at the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20. Coach Deepak Chougule expressed confidence in the team's readiness following last week's auction.

Chougule, who shares coaching duties with Kunal Kapoor, praised the team's balanced roster that effectively fills essential roles.

“We were determined to have Shreyas Gopal as our captain. Additionally, we have acquired Sharad BR, a wicketkeeper-batter with IPL experience and a strong first-class background. Ronit More also brings valuable experience to the team,” stated Chougule, a former player for India U19 and Karnataka, as reported by a local media outlet.

Discussing the team's dynamics, he noted, “Last season, we struggled with death bowling and finishers. This year, we have clearly addressed those positions. Our batting lineup is robust, featuring several all-rounders, including bowling all-rounders like Kranthi Kumar, and a reliable finisher in Shivraj, who has consistently excelled in the Maharaja Trophy.”

Chougule also emphasized the importance of retaining a young core before the auction, which includes Paras Gurbax Arya, Macneil Noronha, Abhilash Shetty, and Lochan Gowda. “The Dragons have a tradition of nurturing young talent, as demonstrated in the TNPL. We have also added Adarsh Prajwal, who had an impressive domestic season, and young pacer Aditya Nair, along with Abhishek Prabhakar, who performed exceptionally in the last edition,” he added.

Beyond team formation, Chougule, who also coaches with the Vidarbha Cricket Association and serves as a fielding coach at the NCA, highlighted the significance of the Maharaja Trophy as a crucial platform for both players and coaches.

“Playing at Chinnaswamy with live broadcasts offers immense exposure, especially for younger players aiming to establish themselves in state cricket. This tournament serves as a precursor to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, allowing coaches to assess how players handle pressure, such as competing against talents like Mayank Agarwal or Prasidh Krishna,” he explained.

Chougule also pointed out the advantages the tournament provides for emerging coaches. “While we have seasoned coaches in the system, this is an excellent opportunity for younger coaches to learn team management and how to balance high-profile players with newcomers. It ultimately comes down to effective man-management, making this a valuable platform,” he remarked.

The Mangaluru Dragons will face the Gulbarga Mystics on August 11 in their season opener.

Mangaluru Dragons Squad:

Paras Gurbax Arya (retained), Macneil Hadley Noronha (retained), Lochan S Gowda (retained), Abhilash Shetty (retained), Sharath BR, Ronit More, Shreyas Gopal, Melu Kranthi Kumar, Sachin Shinde, Aneesh KV, Thippa Reddy, Aaditya Nair, Aadarsh Prajwal, Abhishek Prabhakar, Shivaraj S, Pallav Kumar Das.