In 2025, the cricket season in Karnataka hit its peak with the return of the state’s primary T20 competition. The Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, which had in the past been known as the Karnataka Premier League (KPL), went on to live up to its reputation as a talent pool for the homegrown players and also a stage for the international stars to perform. Run by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the 2025 edition of the tournament was a hit, which saw fans from all over the region flock to the historic city of Mysuru.

Tournament Overview and Venue

In the 2025 season of the Maharaja Trophy, we saw a packed schedule of cricket action that spanned over two weeks. The tournament opened on August 11, 2025 and came to a close with the grand final on August 28, 2025.

In Mysore (Mysuru) is the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Ground. Known for its scenic setting and a capacity of about 15,000, it was a great experience for the players. The venue in past has been a dominant force for domestic cricket in Karnataka, which also saw to it that they had pitches that balanced between the needs of a batter and a bowler.

Participating Teams and Leadership

In the league, we saw six competitive teams, which were led by some of the top names in Karnataka cricket. The teams did battle in a double-round robin format, which was followed by playoffs.

Here is the list of the six teams and their captains for the 2025 season:

• Gulbarga Mystics: Led by energetic pacer Vyshak Vijaykumar.
• Hubli Tigers: Captain of the team, which features the stylish left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal.
• Bengaluru Blasters: Under the captaincy of the seasoned opener Mayank Agarwal.
• Mangaluru Dragons: Led by the do-it-all player Krishnappa Gowtham.
• Mysuru Warriors: Led by experienced technician Karun Nair.
• Shivamogga Lions: Led by spin master Shreyas Gopal.

Schedule and Match Timings

The schedule was filled out with doubleheaders to keep the energy going. We had matches every day, which provided a constant stream of entertainment for cricket fans.

• Afternoon Matches: Started out at 3:15 PM IST.
• Evening Matches: Started at 9:15 PM Indian Standard Time.

The season opened with a game between the Gulbarga Mystics and the Mangaluru Dragons. In the league stage, which saw each team play each other twice, we tested that out of the teams. Also very important were the derby games we had between the Bengaluru Blasters and the home favourites, the Mysuru Warriors.

In the later stages, the field took on the classic playoff format.

• Qualifier 1: Between the leaders at the top of the table.
• Eliminator: Challenged by the 3rd and 4th-placed teams.
• Qualifier 2: In the first qualifier, the loose leaf went up against the winner of the elimination round.
• The Final: Held on the 28th of August, which marked the end of the season.

Squad Composition and Auction Buzz

Before the first ball was out, there was a buzz at the auction table. The franchises put together 18-man squads, which were a mix of youth and experience. At the 2025 auction, records fell, which we attribute to great local talent.

Devdutt Padikkal did the trick for the highest price; he was picked up by the Hubli Tigers for a massive 13.20 lakh. Also, to the Tiger team, we see the return of Abhinav Manohar for 12.20 lakh, which also saw the likes of Manish Pandey being poached by the Mysore Warriors for the same amount. Also, from the other teams, we note that pacer Vidwath Kaverappa was bought by the Shivamogga Lions and Vidyadhar Patil by the Bengaluru Blasters.

Broadcast and Streaming Information

To make sure that no fan missed any action, the KSCA put in place extensive broadcast plans. We had live matches on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports 1 Kannada, which in turn reached out to the English and Kannada-speaking audiences. For the digital first generation, we went live on the FanCode app and website, which in turn made the Maharaja Trophy a global event.

In the 2025 edition of the Maharaja Trophy, we saw very close and exciting fielding outplays, which also confirmed the tournament’s position as a major player in India’s domestic T20 circuit.