KPL 2015 Match 1: Belagavi Panthers v Mangalore United, Review

KPL 2015 Match 1: Belagavi Panthers v Mangalore United, Review: Hubballi, Sept 03: Led by an authoritative unbeaten 64 from skipper R Vinay Kumar and his unfinished 122-run stand for the third wicket with R Jonathan (62*), last year’s finalists romped home convincing victors by 8 wickets with 12 balls to spare over Mangalore United in the inaugural match of the Karbonn Smart KPL 2015 match here on Thursday.

Chasing Mangalore United’s 141, Belagavi Panthers began on the wrong foot losing both their openers rather cheap both caught at long off attempting aerial shots. From 22 for 2 in the 4th over, Vinay, who was joined by Jonathan, not only led his team’s recovery, but he also ably guided his team to their first win of Season IV.

At no time did the two batsmen look in discomfort, ensuring the run-chase was always on by maintaining a healthy run-rate.

The pair put on a match winning partnership off just 81 balls with Jonathan hammering 4 sixes and 3 fours while Vinay struck 6 fours in his knock.

Put into bat, Mangalore United were shaken by a double blow when medium pacer Stalin Hoover removed captain and opening batsman Rohit Sabharwal (0) and Sishir Bhavane (3).

Karun Nair (38, 27b, 5 x 4, 1 x 6), who opened the innings, took it upon himself to shore his team and along with KC Avinash seemed to be leading the team towards a healthy total when veteran and the oldest player of the tournament, Nitin Mulkhi struck to have him leg before.

Rohan Kadam was run out a little while later and Mangalore United were clearly struggling.

However, KC Avinash farmed the bowling well. Slowly and steadily he inched his way before being influenced by Arsdeep Singh Brar’ sheaves, two of which ended as boundaries and two went the distance.

The pair managed to take the team to 141 with a 76-run partnership off 48 balls before Arsdeep was out off the last ball of the innings.

Brief Scores:

Mangalore United – 141/5 (20 overs), (C Avinash 50; S Hoover 2-20)

Belagavi Panthers – 142/2 (18 overs), (V Kumar 64; M Yadav 1-22)

Panthers won by 8 wickets.

Man Of the Match ­– Vinay Kumar