Match No 15 : Shamanoor Davanagere Diamonds vs Belgavi Panthers at Bangalore on 22.09.10. Shamanoor Davanagere Diamonds won by 20 runs

MA Agarwal scored exact hundred runs in Diamonds total of 191 for 4 in Diamond’s innings and helped his team to carve a 20 run win against Belgavi Panthers.

MA Agarwal’s 100 is the first hundred of this edition and wrested B Chipli’s 75 for Mangalore United against Bangalore Brigadiers at Bangalore on 22.09.10. MA Agarwal became the second batsman to score a hundred in KPL games. MK Pandey of Belgavi Panthers had made 112 not out against Mangalore United at Bangalore on 14.09.09 in the first edition of KPL.

Davanagere’s total was built around MA Agarwal {100}, M Nidesh {23} and V Bharat Kumar {32}, There were substantial partnerships in the innings – 69 runs for the second wicket between MA Agarwal and YKT Goud, 53 runs partnership between MA Agarwal and M Nidesh and 39 runs unfinished stand for the fifth wicket between V Bharat Kumar and SB Joshi – which was the mainstay of Davanagere’s innings

MA Agarwal was at the crease for 77 minutes for his 100 which came in 62 balls. His essay contained 11 boundaries and four sixes. M Nidesh’s 23 came in 29 balls with two fours in a stay of 33 minutes. V Bharat Kumar’s cameo knock of 32 came in just seven balls with two fours and four sixes.

S Dhananjaya who was carted all over the ground by Davanagere batsmen leaked 55 runs in his four overs for his two wickets and was the most successful bowler for Belgavi Panthers. S Dhananjya earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first bowler to concede fifty runs in an innings in this edition of the tournament. He became the third bowler to concede 50 plus runs in the tournament. The other two bowlers are – ST Sharat {55} of Diamonds vs Brigadiers at Bangalore on 21.09.09 and STR Binny {51} of Bulls vs Brigadiers at Mysore on 19.09.09. Thus Dhananjaya became the most expensive bowler in the tournament in terms of runs conceded.

Belgavi Panthers undeterred by the huge total started in a confident note, with their inform openers – skipper J Arun Kumar and KS Ponnappa – adding 70 runs for the first wicket in 7.1 overs. KS Ponnappa left at 70 and J Arun Kumar followed him at 112. As long the skipper was at the crease, Panthers had a chance to wrap up the game. His departure at a crucial stage gave an advantage to Diamonds. Panthers lost wickets at regular intervals. With no partnerships coming forth in the rest of their innings, they reached a total of 171 for 9 leaving Diamond victors by 20 runs.

J Arunkumar’s 57 which was in a losing cause was made in 55 minutes in 34 balls and contained six hits to the fence and three over it.

P Patil was the most successful bowler for Diamond with 3 for 27. BN Bharat {2 for 39} and DC Rajesh {2 for 33} were the other bowlers who were amongst the wickets

Summarised scores : Shamanoor Davangere Diamonds 191 for 4 in 20 overs {MA Agarwal 100, V Bharat Kumar 32, M Nidesh 23, S Dhananjaya 2 for 55} beat Belgavi Panthers 171 for 9 in 20 overs {J Arunkumar 57, P Patil 3 for 27, BN Bharat 2 for 39, DC Rajesh 2 for 33} by 10 runs