KPL 2016, Match 20 Review: Namma Shivamogga survive Rockstars scare

Skipper Stuart Binny slammed a hurricane unbeaten 50 to feature in Namma Shivamogga’s 17-run win over Rockstars in the fifth edition of KPL T20 tournament at the KSCA Stadium in Rajnagar on Sunday night.

Binny (50 n.o; 20b 4×6, 3×4) and earlier opener D Nischal 65 (46b, 1×6, 6×4) carved up the Rockstars’ bowling after being put into bat. Runs flowed on a firm pitch as Nischal with two useful partnerships – 59 for the first wicket with Sharath Srinivas (28) and 58 for the second wicket with Shreyas Gopal (27), clobbered the bowling.

Later, Binny, who registered the season’s fastest 50, waded into the bowling and a packed holiday crowd was treated to some lovely big hitting.

In reply Rockstars, with nothing to lose, threw caution to the winds and made a fist of the chase, with the man of the match Madan Mohan (57; 40b, 2×6, 4×4), in particular, clobbering the bowling. BR Sharath (40), Ritesh Bhatkal (40) and Teja Charan (21) too joined in the run-fest. But the target was a bit too distant for Rockstars’ comfort.

Brief scores:

Namma Shivamoga: 193 for 4 in 20 overs (D Nischal 65, Stuart Binny 50 n.o, Sharath Srinivas 28, Shreyas Gopal 27) beat Rockstars: 176 for 6 in 20 overs (Madan Mohan 57 , BR Sharath 40,  Ritesh Bhatkal 40, Teja Charan 21, Shreyas Gopal 2/39) by 17 runs.