Match Number 1: Malnad Gladiators vs Belgavi Panthers at Bangalore on 16.09.10: Belgavi Panthers won by eight wickets

Belgavi Panthers cruised to a facile eight wickets win over Malnad Gladiators at KSCA Stadium, Bangalore in the inaugural match of Mantri-KPL 2010 edition.

Malnag Gladiators who made the first use of the pitch totalled 110 for six in its 20 overs. Useful contributions from skipper Ganesh Satish {25} and Raju Bhatkal {27 not out} helped Gladiators to put up this score. Some tight bowling by Belgavi Panthers restricted them to score freely. Syed Jeeshan Ali was the most economical bowler on the scene with figures of 4.0-0-13-1, while the most expensive bowler was Ramling Patil who gave away 29 runs for his lone wicket in four overs. Dhananjay {1 for 22}, Rohit More {2 for 23} and B Naveen {1 for 21} are the other bowlers who chanced their arm and conceded less than 25 runs in their four over quota. Rohit More was the most successful bowler for Belgavi Panthers with 2 for 23.

Belgavi Panthers lost – their skipper J Arunkumar for five – early in their chase , but two fifty runs partnerships – 52 runs partnership for the second wicket between Shyam Ponnappa and Suraj Sampath for the second wicket and 59 runs unfinished stand for the third wicket between Suraj Sampath and S Vinod ensured them a facile eight wicket win with eight balls to spare.

Suraj Sampath {60 not out}, S Vinod {29 not out} and Shyam Ponnapp {17} excelled with the willow for Belgavi Panthers, while Raju Bhatkal and Ryan Ninan shared the wickets that fell in Belgavi Panthers’ innings

Suraj Sampath’s essay contained six boundary fours and one boundary six in 55 deliveries. The winning hit was a six which came from the blade of Suraj Sampath