Indore Pink Panthers Triumph with Akshat Raghuwanshi's Stellar Performance in Madhya Pradesh League
Indore Pink Panthers Secure Victory in Thrilling Match
Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 15: The captain of Indore Pink Panthers, Venkatesh Iyer, expressed his admiration for young talent Akshat Raghuwanshi, who played a pivotal role in their narrow six-run victory against Jabalpur Royal Lions during Match 5 of the Madhya Pradesh League T20 2025 at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium, Shankarpur, on Saturday.
“Akshat's batting was the standout feature of the match. At just 21, his ability to play shots all over the field is remarkable. I believe he has a bright future ahead,” Iyer remarked following the match, as reported by the MPL press release.
Raghuwanshi dazzled with a remarkable innings of 76 runs off 46 balls, which included seven boundaries and five sixes, helping Indore set a competitive total of 183/7 after they chose to bat first. Despite losing opener Arpit Gaud early, Akshat's aggressive play and solid contributions from the middle order ensured a robust finish.
Jabalpur's bowlers shared the wickets, with Anubhav Agarwal, Pankaj Patel, Ritesh Shakya, Saransh Jain, and Dharmesh Patel all making contributions, alongside two run-outs that kept Indore's scoring in check during the final overs.
In response, the defending champions, Jabalpur Royal Lions, who had their first match canceled, started strong. The opening duo of Siddharth Patidar and Dharmesh Patel established a solid foundation with an 80-run partnership before Dharmesh was dismissed after scoring a brisk 57 off 28 balls.
However, the game shifted dramatically with the introduction of leg-spinner Mihir Hirwani, who sparked a collapse that saw Jabalpur fall from 80/0 to 95/5, finishing with impressive figures of 3/23.
Siddharth, who was looking good, was eventually run out for 40 runs off 33 balls. Venkatesh Iyer also contributed with the ball, taking the wicket of Sanjog Singh and reducing Jabalpur to 117/7.
Despite the challenges, Rahul Batham kept Jabalpur in contention with a late surge, scoring 58 runs off 36 balls. He brought the match down to needing 20 runs off the final over, bowled by Iyer himself. The first delivery went for six, narrowing the requirement to 11 runs off 2 balls. However, Iyer maintained his composure, dismissed Batham, and secured a thrilling six-run victory.
“Personally, I was pleased with my bowling performance, especially since it had been a while since I last bowled,” Iyer stated, finishing with two wickets, including the crucial final over.
This win marked a strong beginning for the Indore Pink Panthers this season, while the Jabalpur Royal Lions are still seeking their first points after their initial match was washed out.
Reflecting on the significance of the tournament, Iyer noted, “The MPL holds great importance for Madhya Pradesh. We witnessed its impact last season, with players advancing to the IPL. This tournament is seen as a life-changing opportunity for many. Kudos to the MPCA for organizing such a fantastic event. It benefits not only young players but also allows seasoned players like us to hone our skills.”
“I have high hopes for Akshat and Arpit from our team. Another player making waves, whom I believe has IPL potential, is Sagar Solanki,” he concluded.