Agni Chopra, Adil Bhatti Power Royals Past Orlando Galaxy
Baltimore Royals pulled off a hard-fought victory against Orlando Galaxy in the opening game of 2025 Minor League Cricket tournament, winning by 14 runs in a gripping contest at Church St. Park on Thursday, August 28, 2025. The Royals, powered by half-centurion Agni Chopra and a decisive all-round performance from Adil Bhatti, defended 172 to claim the points in what turned out to be a tight, see-saw battle.
Orlando Galaxy captain chose to bowl first after winning the toss, hoping to exploit early movement. However, Baltimore’s openers, Chopra and Sharad Lumba, laid a strong foundation. Chopra was the aggressor, striking three fours and three sixes in his fluent 51 off 37 balls. Lumba complemented him with a brisk 37 off 24 balls, finding the gaps with five crisp boundaries. Together, they added 54 for the first wicket and 47 for the second, ensuring Baltimore had the momentum despite losing wickets in clusters later on.
The Royals stumbled in the middle overs as Orlando’s bowlers, particularly Orrington Hamilton (3/27) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (3/18), struck at regular intervals. Rishi Dhawan (16), Mukhtar Ahmed (17), and Jaskaran Malhotra (21*) chipped in, but none could convert their starts. Baltimore finished at 172 for 8, boosted by 15 wides conceded by Orlando’s attack.
In reply, Orlando Galaxy’s chase faltered early. Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell for just 4, and Romario King followed cheaply as Adil Bhatti’s incisive spell tore into the top order. At 25 for 3, the Galaxy were under pressure. Danush Kaveripakam steadied the innings with a patient 27, but his dismissal sparked another collapse.
The middle order wobbled further as Sarbjeet Ladda (2/20) and Sharad Lumba (1/3) joined the attack, reducing Orlando to 78 for 6. Just when the game seemed beyond reach, Shuaib Syed (24 off 18) and Hardik Desai (17 off 20) attempted to revive the chase. Their resistance was cut short by Bhatti, who returned to pick up crucial wickets, ending with superb figures of 4 for 33.
The Galaxy’s hopes were briefly reignited by Orrington Hamilton’s fighting 24 not out off 11 balls, which included two towering sixes. But with little support from the tail, Orlando could only manage 158 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling 14 runs short of the target.
Bhatti’s all-round brilliance—vital wickets in the powerplay, strikes in the death overs, and a handy cameo with the bat—earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
