After a crucial victory against Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters in the Maharani Trophy KSCA T20 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday, Hubli Tigers’ captain Vrinda Dinesh credited her side’s batting prowess as it rose to the top of the table with one match remaining.

After a 17-run victory against Mysore Warriors at the start of the tournament, the Tigers lost two consecutive matches to the Gulbarga Mystics and Blasters.

However, Vrinda & Co. turned their season around by winning the reverse fixtures against the Warriors and Blasters back-to-back.

“It was just about timing. We just had to click early on and the [twin victories] turned the momentum for us,” Vrinda told The Hindu as she alluded to the team’s patience in coming back strong after two losses.

The right-handed batter, alongside Niki Prasad and C. Prathyoosha, has been pivotal in Tigers’ recent victories. The 25-year-old has accumulated 170 runs at a tournament-leading strike rate of 170.

“As a team, we believe batting is our strength, and our bowling can defend any target,” the skipper stated. “In batting, we believe it’s Prathyoosha, me or Niki. If one of us is there throughout the 20 overs, the team will sail through.”

Vrinda also commended the role of the Tigers’ support staff in helping her improve as a leader.

“There’s something to learn in every game. There have been certain moments where they’ve told me, ‘you could’ve done something differently’ or something was really well done. These insights have helped me get better.”

With the Tigers now in a good position to qualify for Sunday’s final, Vrinda is focused on staying composed rather than looking too far ahead.

“Everybody in the team knows their roles, and it’s just about showing up on that particular day,” she signed off.

Abhinav Manohar’s explosive 12-ball 46 lit up the DACSS Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 clash between Hubli Tigers and Mysore Warriors before persistent rain forced the match to be abandoned on Thursday. Both teams walked away with one point each.

Reduced to an eight-overs-a-side contest, Hubli Tigers posted 91 for six, thanks to Manohar’s late assault.

Tigers were in trouble at 27 for two after five overs when rain interrupted play, with Kruthik Krishna (23 off 19) and Hardik Raj (2 0ff 4) both retiring hurt, leaving the innings in a precarious position. 

Manohar smashed two fours and six sixes in a whirlwind knock, and was particularly severe on pacer Vyshak Vijaykumar. 

Ritesh Bhatkal was the top performer for the Warriors, picking up two wickets for just 10 runs.

The scores: Hubli Tigers 91/6 in 8 overs (Abhinav Manohar 46) vs. Mysore Warriors (match abandoned due to rain).