KPL 2015: Shreyas Gopal guides newcomers Shivamogga to last-over win

Hubballi, Sep 3: A superlative unbeaten 30-ball 49 by all-rounder Shreyas Gopal paved the way for Karnataka Premier League (KPL) 2015 newcomers Namma Shivamogga to put it across defending champions Mysuru Warriors in their first match of the tournament, under lights.

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Shreyas seemed determined from the time he walked in after the fall of the 3rd wicket and his match-winning knock of 49 not out (30b, 7x4, 1x6) came after the top 4 had chipped in with useful scores each ensuring a strike rate of over 100.

While there were no major contributions from the top 4, they were useful and meaningful ones that kept the team total ticking and in the game.

Sadiq Kirmani (29), the son of former India stumper Syed Kirmani, Abrar Kazi (21), Kaunain Abass (26) and Stuart Binny (25) made sure the team was well ahead of the asking rate and when Shreyas opened his shoulders, Mysuru knew their fate.

Invited to bat, Mysuru got off to a healthy start with Arjun Hoysala and skipper Manish Pandey staying busy in the center.

The pair pulled off some quick singles and pounced on the short, overpitched and bad deliveries.

After posting a pleasing 50 run partnership for the opening wicket, Manish decided to chance his arm and holed out to Aditya Sagar at long off to give Shivamogga their first wicket.

Hoysala and Manjesh Reddy then hammered the rival attack taking 39 runs off 4.1 overs before Hoysala was stumped for a well made 44 (37b, 6x4).

Two wickets, at the score of 125 that of Manjesh (45, 27b, 8x4) and CM Gautam (9) put the skids on Warriors' scoring.

However a cameo by K Gowtham, who struck three fours and a six for his 11-ball unbeaten 26, enabled the defending champs finish at 160.

Shreyas pocketed a cheque for Rupees 10 thousand as the Man-of-the-match award. Speaking about his performance Shreyas said, "I was a bit disappointed with my bowling so felt the need to make a good contribution with the bat to make up for the runs I gave away.

"I enjoyed batting with Stuart (Binny) who guided me at every step and made sure that I took calculated risks. It's a good start to the tournament and we hope to continue with the momentum."

FULL SCORECARD

Mysuru Warriors

Arjun Hoysala st Sadiq Kirmani b Abrar Kazi 44 (37b, 6x4); Manish Pandey c A Sagar b Sinan Abdul 26 (22b, 3x4); Manjesh Reddy c Siddarth b B Gulecha 45 (27b, 8x4); CM Gautam st Sadiq b Sinan 9; K Gowtham (not out) 26 (11b, 3x4, 1x6); G Naveen (run out) 5; J Suchith c Shreyas b A Sagar 2; David Mathias (not out) 1

Extras: (w-1, lb-1) 2

Total: 160 for 6 in 20 overs

Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Pandey); 2-95 (Hoysala), 3-125 (Goutham); 4-125 (Reddy); 5-155 (Naveen); 6-158 (Suchith)

Bowling: Bhavesh Gulecha 4-0-37-1; Aditya B Sagar 4-0-29-1; Abrar Kazi 4-0-18-1; Shreyas Gopal 4-0-40-0; Sinan Abdul Khader 4-0-35-2

Namma Shivamogga

Sadiq Kirmani b Shantaraj 29 (20b, 3x4); Abrar Kazi (run out) 21 (19b, 4x4); Kaunain Abbas c Hoysala b Shantaraj 26 (21b, 3x6); Stuart Binny c Suchith b CK Akshay 25 (20b, 1x6); Shreyas Gopal (not out) 49 (30b, 7x4, 1x6); KV Siddarth (not out) 1

Extras: (lb-4, w-5) 9

Total: 161 for four in 19.2 overs

Fall of wickets: 1-44 (Kazi); 2-81 (Abbas); 3-83 (Kirmani); 4-146 (Binny)

Bowling: David Mathias 3-0-24-0; Dharshan MB 2-0-20-0; G Naveen 1-0-12-0; J Suchith 3.2-0-30-0; CK Akshay 3-0-18-1; Shantharaj 4-0-35-2; K Gowtham 4-0-21-0

Toss: Won by Namma Shivamogga; opted to field

Result: Namma Shivamogga won by 6 wickets with 4 balls to spare

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