Karnataka’s premier franchise T20 tournament is back. The Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026, Season 5 of the competition, runs from June 20 to July 12, 2026, across three iconic venues in the state.
With 34 matches packed into 23 days, two rebranded franchises entering the fray, and a star-studded auction headlined by Karun Nair at ₹18 lakh, this edition is shaping up to be the most competitive yet. Here is everything you need to know about the Maharaja Trophy 2026.
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026: Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Edition | Season 5 |
| Start Date | June 20, 2026 |
| Final | July 12, 2026 |
| Total Matches | 34 |
| No. of Teams | 6 |
| Organiser | Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) |
| Title Sponsor | Shriram Capital |
| Auction Purse (per team) | ₹60 lakh |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2 |
| Live Streaming | FanCode |
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 Full Schedule
The tournament is split into three venue phases, Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru, before the playoffs and final at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. All matches are double-headers, with first games starting at 2:30 PM IST and second games at 7:00 PM IST.
Phase 1: Mysuru (June 20–25) — Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground
| Match | Teams | Date | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters vs Gulbarga Mystics | June 20, Sat | 2:30 PM |
| Match 2 | Shivamogga Yodhas vs Mysore Warriors | June 20, Sat | 7:00 PM |
| Match 3 | Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Hubli Tigers | June 21, Sun | 2:30 PM |
| Match 4 | Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters vs Shivamogga Yodhas | June 21, Sun | 7:00 PM |
| Match 5 | Mysore Warriors vs Hubli Tigers | June 22, Mon | 2:30 PM |
| Match 6 | Gulbarga Mystics vs Coastal Kings Mangaluru | June 22, Mon | 7:00 PM |
| Match 7 | Gulbarga Mystics vs Shivamogga Yodhas | June 23, Tue | 2:30 PM |
| Match 8 | Mysore Warriors vs Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters | June 23, Tue | 7:00 PM |
| Match 9 | Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters | June 24, Wed | 2:30 PM |
| Match 10 | Hubli Tigers vs Shivamogga Yodhas | June 24, Wed | 7:00 PM |
| Match 11 | Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Mysore Warriors | June 25, Thu | 2:30 PM |
| Match 12 | Hubli Tigers vs Gulbarga Mystics | June 25, Thu | 7:00 PM |
Phase 2: Hubballi (June 27–July 3) — KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground
| Match | Teams | Date | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 13 | Shivamogga Yodhas vs Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters | June 27, Sat | 2:30 PM |
| Match 14 | Mysore Warriors vs Gulbarga Mystics | June 27, Sat | 7:00 PM |
| Match 15 | Shivamogga Yodhas vs Coastal Kings Mangaluru | June 28, Sun | 7:00 PM |
| Match 16 | Gulbarga Mystics vs Hubli Tigers | June 29, Mon | 2:30 PM |
| Match 17 | Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters vs Coastal Kings Mangaluru | June 29, Mon | 7:00 PM |
| Match 18 | Shivamogga Yodhas vs Gulbarga Mystics | June 30, Tue | 2:30 PM |
| Match 19 | Mysore Warriors vs Coastal Kings Mangaluru | June 30, Tue | 7:00 PM |
| Match 20 | Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters vs Hubli Tigers | July 1, Wed | 7:00 PM |
| Match 21 | Hubli Tigers vs Mysore Warriors | July 2, Thu | 2:30 PM |
| Match 22 | Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Shivamogga Yodhas | July 2, Thu | 7:00 PM |
| Match 23 | Gulbarga Mystics vs Mysore Warriors | July 3, Fri | 2:30 PM |
| Match 24 | Hubli Tigers vs Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters | July 3, Fri | 7:00 PM |
Phase 3: Bengaluru (July 5–8) — M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
| Match | Teams | Date | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 25 | Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters vs Mysore Warriors | July 5, Sun | 2:30 PM |
| Match 26 | Shivamogga Yodhas vs Hubli Tigers | July 5, Sun | 7:00 PM |
| Match 27 | Hubli Tigers vs Coastal Kings Mangaluru | July 6, Mon | 2:30 PM |
| Match 28 | Gulbarga Mystics vs Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters | July 6, Mon | 7:00 PM |
| Match 29 | Mysore Warriors vs Shivamogga Yodhas | July 7, Tue | 7:00 PM |
| Match 30 | Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Gulbarga Mystics | July 8, Wed | 7:00 PM |
Playoffs & Final — M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
| Match | Date | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Eliminator | July 9, Thu | 2:30 PM |
| Qualifier 1 | July 9, Thu | 7:00 PM |
| Qualifier 2 | July 10, Fri | 7:00 PM |
| Final | July 12, Sun | 7:00 PM |
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 Teams and Squads
Six franchises representing different cities of Karnataka will battle it out in Season 5. Two teams, Mangaluru Dragons and Shivamogga Lions, have been rebranded ahead of this edition as Coastal Kings Mangaluru and Shivamogga Yodhas respectively, adding fresh energy to the competition.
Each franchise went into the June 5 auction with a purse of ₹60 lakh and was required to build a squad of 16 to 18 players.
Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters
The 2022 champions and two-time finalists, the Blasters are always contenders. Their marquee buys include all-rounder Shubhang Hegde (₹11 lakh), wicketkeeper KL Shrijith (₹9 lakh), and pacer Pravin Dubey (₹9.50 lakh).
Key Players: Shubhang Hegde, Pravin Dubey, KL Shrijith, Vidwath Kaverappa, Samit Dravid
Gulbarga Mystics
The 2022 Season 1 champion franchise, Gulbarga bring experience and pedigree. They landed Manish Pandey, a two-time Player of the Match in Maharaja Trophy finals, for ₹12.75 lakh, alongside hard-hitting all-rounder Macneil Noronha for ₹12.25 lakh.
Key Players: Manish Pandey, Macneil Noronha, Melu Kranthi Kumar, Sharath BR, Dhruv Prabhakar
Hubli Tigers
Hubli Tigers are the defending finalists from 2025, and they have assembled a strong batting core. Abhinav Manohar, known for his explosive hitting, was their biggest buy at ₹13.50 lakh. They also brought in former India opener Mayank Agarwal for ₹11.50 lakh.
Key Players: Abhinav Manohar, Mayank Agarwal, Hardik Raj, Manvanth Kumar L, Mohammed Taha
Coastal Kings Mangaluru (formerly Mangaluru Dragons)
The reigning champions and the most talked-about team going into Season 5. Their strategy at auction was clear — land the biggest name possible. Karun Nair, Karnataka’s red-ball stalwart and one of domestic cricket’s most elegant batters, was snapped up for a tournament-high ₹18 lakh. Leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal (₹10.25 lakh) and all-rounder Koushik V (₹8 lakh) add craft to the line-up.
Key Players: Karun Nair, Shreyas Gopal, Koushik V, Nikin Jose, Suraj Ahuja
Mysore Warriors
Two-time Maharaja Trophy champions (2023 and 2024), the Warriors are the most successful franchise in the tournament’s history. Their spearhead Vyshak Vijaykumar (₹8.25 lakh) gives them a sharp bowling attack, while Chethan LR (₹11.50 lakh) and Manoj Bhandage (₹10 lakh) provide batting depth.
Key Players: Chethan LR, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Manoj Bhandage, A Rohan Patil, Samit Dravid
Shivamogga Yodhas (formerly Shivamogga Lions)
A new identity and a fresh start. The Yodhas splashed ₹15.75 lakh on Smaran R — who smashed the most sixes in Season 4 (26) at a strike rate of 156.02 — making him their marquee franchise player. Luvnith Sisodia (₹7.75 lakh) adds experience with the bat.
Key Players: Smaran R, Luvnith Sisodia, Yash Raj Punja, Naveen MG, Yashovardhan Parantap
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 Venues
Three Karnataka grounds will host the league phase, with the final week and playoffs reserved for the country’s most iconic domestic venue.
| Venue | City | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground | Mysuru | June 20–25 (Matches 1–12) |
| KSCA Hubli Cricket Ground | Hubballi | June 27–July 3 (Matches 13–24) |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | July 5–8 + Playoffs + Final |
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has been the home of the Maharaja Trophy since the tournament’s inception, and it returns for the final stretch following expansion upgrades. The Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground in Mysuru and the KSCA Ground in Hubballi are both experienced hosts of domestic cricket in Karnataka.
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 Tickets
Official ticket details for the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 are yet to be confirmed by the KSCA. Fans are advised to:
- Monitor the official KSCA website (ksca.in) for ticket announcements
- Check the BookMyShow platform, which has historically listed KSCA event tickets
- Follow the KSCA official social media handles on Instagram and YouTube for real-time updates
- Tickets for league-phase matches at Mysuru and Hubballi are typically priced more accessibly than playoff matches at Chinnaswamy
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026: Live Streaming and TV Broadcast
Fans across India can follow all 34 matches live through the following channels:
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 2
- Live Streaming: FanCode (website, Android, iOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Samsung TV, Jio STB, Airtel XStream)
- Languages: English and Kannada commentary available on FanCode
- Live Scores: KSCA official website and partner cricket apps
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 Past Winners: Season-by-Season Record
The Maharaja Trophy replaced the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) in 2022 after the KPL was discontinued following match-fixing allegations. In four editions, the Maharaja Trophy has produced four different champions — a remarkable record that speaks to how competitive the league has been.
| Season | Year | Champions | Runners-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2022 | Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters | Gulbarga Mystics |
| Season 2 | 2023 | Hubli Tigers | Mysore Warriors |
| Season 3 | 2024 | Mysore Warriors | Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters |
| Season 4 | 2025 | Mangaluru Dragons | Hubli Tigers |
| Season 5 | 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Mysore Warriors are the most successful franchise with two titles (2023 and 2024). Mangaluru Dragons, now Coastal Kings Mangaluru, enter Season 5 as defending champions after their maiden Maharaja Trophy title in 2025.
Players to Watch in Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026
Season 5 has arguably the deepest pool of talent the Maharaja Trophy has ever assembled. Here are the names that could define this edition:
- Karun Nair (Coastal Kings Mangaluru) – The most expensive player in Season 5 auction history at ₹18 lakh. Karnataka’s premier red-ball batter looking to dominate in T20 colours for his state. Also the all-time leading run-scorer in Maharaja Trophy history with 1,349 runs.
- Manish Pandey (Gulbarga Mystics) – Two-time final Player of the Match (2022, 2023). A calm head and proven big-game performer.
- Mayank Agarwal (Hubli Tigers) – The former India Test opener brings franchise experience and top-order firepower to the Tigers.
- Smaran R (Shivamogga Yodhas) – Hit more sixes than any player in the 2025 season (26 sixes at SR 156.02). A match-winner in the powerplay.
- Abhinav Manohar (Hubli Tigers) – A big-hitting middle-order batter who has been one of Karnataka’s most entertaining T20 players. Paid ₹13.50 lakh.
- Vyshak Vijaykumar (Mysore Warriors) – One of India’s most exciting domestic pace bowlers, capable of hurrying the best batters on any surface.
Why Season 5 is the Most Intriguing Yet: Unique Angles
A few storylines make Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 stand out from previous editions:
- Four champions in four years — Every single Maharaja Trophy season has produced a new winner. No franchise has dominated, and the title race has been genuinely open each time. That parity makes Season 5 impossible to call.
- Rahul Dravid unveiled the Season 5 trophy — India cricket legend and Karnataka icon Rahul Dravid officially unveiled the Maharaja Trophy for this season, lending the tournament a special prestige as it enters its fifth year.
- Two new franchise identities — Mangaluru Dragons and Shivamogga Lions have been replaced by Coastal Kings Mangaluru and Shivamogga Yodhas. Both franchises also secured their biggest auction buys ever — signalling serious intent in their new avatars.
- Karun Nair’s homecoming — After years of international highs and lows, Karun Nair is now the face of the defending champion franchise. His form will be one of the tournament’s central narratives.
- Three-city format — Unlike Season 4, which was centralised at Chinnaswamy, Season 5 spreads across Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru, giving fans across Karnataka a chance to watch live cricket.
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About the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20
The Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 is Karnataka’s premier franchise-based T20 cricket competition, organised by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). It was launched in 2022, replacing the Karnataka Premier League (KPL), which was discontinued after being marred by match-fixing and betting scandals. The tournament is named in honour of the late Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar, the last king of Mysore and a long-serving president of the KSCA.
The competition features six franchises representing cities across Karnataka, competing in a round-robin league stage followed by playoffs — Eliminator, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2, and the Final. The tournament serves as a vital platform for Karnataka domestic players to showcase their T20 skills and attract IPL attention.
Season 5 of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 is the most complete edition yet, a fresh field, star names, three venues, and a title that has never been retained. From June 20 in Mysuru to the July 12 final at Chinnaswamy, there is no shortage of reasons to tune in every evening.
