Lucknow: Kashi Rudras captain Karan Sharma made an unbeaten 92 off 48 balls on Tuesday night to lead the defending champions to a 15-run win over Gorakhpur Lions in the UPT20 League at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. It was a second win in three matches for the two-time champions.
Rudras dig themselves out at 88 for five
Put in to bat, Kashi Rudras began steadily before the middle order came apart. By the 10th over they were 88 for five and the innings had stalled.
Karan then took over. He hit four fours and nine sixes in his 48-ball stay, finishing unbeaten on 92 as the Rudras closed on 194 for six in their 20 overs.
Sahab Yuvraj Singh had given the innings its early push, making 41 off 25 balls at the top of the order.
Bowlers keep the Lions in check
Gorakhpur Lions were held to 179 for seven in reply, with the Kashi attack rarely letting the chase get away. Vaibhav Chaudhary, Vijay Yadav and Sunil Kumar picked up two wickets apiece.
Karan added a wicket to his night’s work as well, removing Prince Yadav at a point when the Lions needed him at the crease.
Orange Cap back with the captain
Karan’s innings earned him the Player of the Match award and took him back to the top of the run charts. He now has 161 runs from three matches and has reclaimed the Orange Cap, an award he won twice in the tournament’s first three seasons.
The win keeps the Rudras well placed in their pursuit of a third title.
Next up
Kashi Rudras play Kanpur Superstars on Thursday, 20 August 2026, at 7.30pm IST at the Ekana Stadium.
