Gulbarga Mystics gears up for Maharaja Trophy 2026

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The View From India Looking at World Affairs from the Indian perspective.

First Day First Show News and reviews from the world of cinema and streaming.

Today's Cache Your download of the top 5 technology stories of the day.

Data Point Decoding the headlines with facts, figures, and numbers

Health Matters Ramya Kannan writes to you on getting to good health, and staying there

The Hindu On Books Books of the week, reviews, excerpts, new titles and features.

Vice-president of Karnataka State Cricket Association Sujith Somasundar addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

The fifth edition of the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s (KSCA) T20 tournament, the Maharaja Trophy, will be held in Mysuru, Hubballi and Bengaluru from June 20 to July 12.

Gulbarga Mystics, champions of the inaugural edition in 2022, unveiled its new jersey and announced its squad for the tournament at a joint press conference organised by the franchise and KSCA in Kalaburagi on Tuesday.

Players were introduced at the event where the team also launched an environment initiative by distributing saplings.

Representing Kalaburagi, Raichur and other parts of North Karnataka, Gulbarga Mystics has reached the knockout stage in every edition of the tournament so far.

The franchise has named a 20-member squad for this season, including 18 players selected through auction and two from its catchment area.

A former India batter Manish Pandey has been retained as the team’s marquee player for ₹12.75 lakh.

The squad also includes Karnataka all-rounder Macneil Noronha who recently signed with Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026, wicketkeeper-batter B.R. Sharath and domestic players Ronit Gajanan More and Melu Kranthi Kumar.

The franchise is owned by Chancellor of Khaja Bandanawaz University Syed Mohammed Ali Al Husseini, Syed Mustafa Al Husseini and Mir Rahoofuddin Ali Khan.

Neil Michael Joseph and Mahesh Hariharan have joined the ownership group this season.

A former Karnataka all-rounder Akhil Balachandra is the team’s mentor, while Kunal Kapoor is the head coach and K.V. Siddharth the fielding coach.

Speaking at the event, KSCA vice-president Sujith Somasundar said that the tournament provides an opportunity for young players from both rural and urban areas.

“The Maharaja Trophy gives young cricketers a chance to play alongside senior players and improve their skills,” he said.

Kushal Patil, coordinator for the Raichur