Follow UsMaharaja Trophy 2025 was a great showcase of Karnataka talent as the tournament gave a spotlight to quality talent to shine and make a name for themselves. Mangaluru Dragons beat the Hubli Tigers to clinch the Maharaja Trophy for the first time. Over the course of two weeks, the tournament put a spotlight of talented batters and bowlers. There were a bunch of excellent keeper-batters who did exceptionally well and have improved their chance of getting an IPL contract.
Here are three wicket-keeper batters from the Maharaja Trophy whom Mumbai Indians can sign for IPL 2026.
12 inns, 392 runs, 167 SR, 2 fifties, 42 fours, 21 sixes
Sharath BR finally had a good edition of the Maharaja Trophy as he scored 392 runs at 167 SR with two fifties. He was the highest run scorer for Mangaluru Dragons, being the biggest hand in the championship success for the team.
He laid a great foundation for the Dragons by having 535 runs opening partnership with Lochan Gowda. He smashed the bowlers in the powerplay scoring at 183 SR. 18 of his 21 sixes were scored in the first 6 overs. He thrashed the pacers at 196 SR, hitting a boundary every third delivery.
As Sharath already has IPL experience playing for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2024, he can be a good addition for the Mumbai Indians, as he can open with Rohit Sharma and allow MI an extra overseas option instead of losing one on Ryan Rickelton.
11 inns, 255 runs, 150 SR, 1 fifty, 23 fours, 10 sixes
Suraj Ahuja continues to be the most consistent wicket-keeper batter in the Maharaja Trophy as he had another good season. He scored 255 runs at 150 SR, smashing over 30 boundaries.
Coming out to bat at #5 and #6, Ahuja scored from the first ball as he has a good SR of 149 in the middle overs (7-15) and 160 in the final five overs (16-20). He, like other batters, has hammered the pacers, scoring at 171 SR. He can be a good slog over specialist alongside Hardik Pandya and Naman Dhir if he is signed by Mumbai Indians (MI).
12 inns, 299 runs, 154 SR, 2 fifties, 31 fours, 16 sixes
LR Chethan continued to dominate the Maharaja Trophy as the highest run scorer in Maharaja Trophy history, scoring 299 runs at 154 SR with 31 fours and 16 sixes. Opening the batting, Chethan has managed to maintain 150+ SR across three phases. He was terrific while chasing as he scored both fifties by batting second at 154 SR.
As Chethan has regularly been part of IPL trials and has almost been signed in the last two seasons. If he finally manages to be signed in IPL 2026 is something that needs to be seen.