The Under-23 men’s team of the Maharashtra Cricket Association concluded a commendable campaign in the 2025–26 edition of the Col. C. K. Nayudu Trophy, finishing as runners-up after a hard-fought final against Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.
After winning the toss, Maharashtra opted to bat first and posted a total of 238 runs in their first innings. The innings was anchored by solid contributions from Arshin Kulkarni (67) and Digvijay Patil (60), who provided stability to the Maharashtra batting line-up against a disciplined Tamil Nadu bowling attack.
Tamil Nadu responded strongly in their first innings, compiling 334 runs to secure a crucial first-innings lead. Kiran Karthikeyan led the charge with an impressive 86, while Manav Parakh (47) and Boopathi Kumar (44) added valuable runs to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s advantage.
In the second innings, Maharashtra faced sustained pressure from the Tamil Nadu bowlers and were bowled out for 161 runs. With a modest target of 67 runs, Tamil Nadu completed the chase comfortably, winning the match with seven wickets in hand to lift the title.
Despite the final result, Maharashtra’s journey to the summit clash reflects the depth of talent and competitive spirit within the state’s cricketing structure. The team’s consistent performances throughout the tournament underline the strong developmental pathway fostered by the Maharashtra Cricket Association, with several players demonstrating the potential to progress to higher levels of domestic cricket.