Abdul Majeed of Namma Shivamogga drives against Bangalore Blasters during Karnataka Premier league match, at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium in Mysore
Anirudh Joshi’s quickfire half-century spurred Namma Shivamogga to a four-wicket win over Bengaluru Blasters in the Karnataka Premier League at the SDNR Wadiyar ground here on Monday.
Joshi’s unbeaten 54, which included three massive sixes and six fours, came off just 25 balls. Abdul Majid also played a vital role, contributing with a steady 34 in 32 balls. Their efforts ensured Shivamogga reach the target with an over to spare, scoring 146 for the loss of six wickets.
The win lifted Shivamogga to second spot in the table with five points. Bengaluru remain at the bottom, yet to get their first points on board.
Bengaluru had made 142 for six and in their chase Shivamogga’s opener Nihal Ullal fell for nought. He was stumped when he went after Mitrakanth Yadav in the very first over. Liyan Khan (10) was the next to fall.
R Jonathan too returned without opening his account when he was run-out without facing a ball, leaving Shivamogga struggling at 17 for three in five overs. Abdul Majid and Shoaib Manager then combined to good effect to steady the innings. Majid was fortunate to be reprieved when R Samarth dropped him on 10 off a tough chance.
The 42-run stand was eventually broken when Manager’s (14) effort ended up down the fielder’s throat. Although the course of the match changed after Joshi arrived. The big-hitting all-rounder clobbered Sinan Abdul Khader in the 13th over, picking a massive 28 runs off it. There were three sixes and two fours in the over, just one of those fours going to Majid. Prasidh was also hammered in the next over. Majid was dismissed by Bhat in the 15th over.
Joshi was dropped on 42 by Mitrakanth in the deep off Bhat’s bowling. He had hammered two fours in the over before that to edge Shivamogga closer to the target. He brought up the win with four through covers, despite captain Akhil being run-out in the between.
Earlier, Bengaluru’s batting woes continued after being put in to bat first. They lost their openers within two overs. R Samarth (1) didn’t get his timing right, popping one to mid-off in Pradeep T’s first over, before the big-hitting M Vishwanathan was caught behind off Aditya Somanna in the very next over.
Brief scores: Bengaluru Blasters: 142/6 in 20 overs (Manjesh Reddy 37, Pavan Deshpande 47; Pradeep T 2-35, Aditya Somanna 3-21) lt to Namma Shivamogga: 146/6 in 19 overs (Abdul Majid 40, Anirudh Joshi 54 n.o.; Prasidh Krishna 1-15).