Match Number 3 : Malnad Gladiatros vs Shamanoor Davanagere Diamonds at Bangalore on 17.09.10 : Malnad Gladiators won the match by 2 runs under VJD Method

The second contrived game of the second edition of Mantri-KPL 2010 saw Malnad Gladiators pip Shamanoor Davanagere Diamonds by two runs under VJD Method

Malnad Gladiatos who had the option to bat after being inserted scored 149 runs for the loss of eight wickets in its quota of 20 overs. It had a none-too-impressive start losing its inform skipper Ganesh Satish lured by BN Bharat in the slips cordon – a catch well taken by rival skipper Sunil Joshi for 6, the wicket falling at 8. It lost its second wicket at 13, that of the other opener K Shashindra – again to BN Bharat to a snick taken by CM Gautham for 5. Kunal Kapoor and Raju Bhatkal stemmed the rot by propping up the innings by adding 29 runs for the third wicket.

Malnad Gladiators lost their wickets regularly but with some fruitful partnerships in between. 33 runs were added for the fifth wicket between Kunal Kapoor and Nishanth Hegde and 34 runs were added for the unfinished stand of ninth wicket between Ryan Ninan and SL Akshay ensured Malnad Gladiators reach a respectable total of 149 for 8 wickets

Kunal Kapoor who came in at the fall of the first wicket batted sensibly and forged useful partnerships, before he was bowled by Prasanna Patil for a well compiled 43. His essay contained five boundary fours and one boundary six. He was at the crease for 55 minutes and faced 34 deliveries

Ryan Ninan’s swash buckling innings was a total contrast to Kunal Kapoor’s innings. Sent at number eight, to deliver the goods, he kept up the faith reposed by his captain. He remained not out on 32 not out which came with the help of two fours and two sixes in a stay of 15 minutes and in 17 deliveries. The last over of the innings was the most expensive over of the innings as it fetched 21 runs.

BN Bharat {3 for 44} and Prasanna Patil {3 for 23} were the most successful bowlers for the Shamanoor Davanagere Diamonds.

Mayank Agarwal and CM Gautham shared the opening stand of 89 runs in 10.1 overs or the first wicket when Davanagere team batted. The latter was the first to leave with his individual score reading 33 runs. After the fall of the first wicket, Ganesh Satish led his team admirably. He used his resources to the maximum benefit of the team and applied pressure on the batsmen relentlessly. Davanger Diaomonds lost wickets are regular intervals and the score board slipped form 89 for 1 to 113 for 5 – losing four wickets for 24 runs. Mayank Agarwal {56}, Sunil Raju {02}, Nidish {07} and skipper Sunil Joshi {02} were the batsmen to depart.

When Davanagere Diamonds were 113 for 5, the play was stopped due to rain and could not be resumed again as the downpour was heavy. The VJD Method was applied and it was found that Davanagere Diamonds were 2 runs short of the par score which was 115 for 5 in 16.0 overs.

Mayank Agarwal’s 56 was embellished with two four and four sixes. He occupied the crease for 56 minutes and faced 35 deliveries. CM Gautham’s 33 came of 36 deliveries contained four fours in a stay of 48 minutes. Agarwal was aggressive of the two. His share was 47 runs in the first wicket stand which yielded 89 runs.

Some wreckless batting by the middle order batsmen in order to push the score in view of threatening rains cost the Davanagere Diamonds the match.

Ganesh Satish kept his head cool and his tactics of applying pressure by making subtle bowling changes and field placements paid off which saw his team victorious by two runs.

SL Akshay {2 for 21}, K Gowtham {1 for 23} and Ryan Ninan {1 for 18} shared the four of the five wickets that fell while one was run out.