In a closely contested match, Bijapur Bulls managed to pip Mysuru Warriors by two runs in the ongoing Karnataka Premier League (KPL)-2018 encounter at SDNR Wadiyar Stadium in city yesterday. Mysuru Warriors won the toss and put the opposition into bat on a hot sunny noon. Opener Bharath Chipli, the skipper of Bijapur Bulls, who was dropped in the second over at point by Shoaib Manager, went on to score 63. Chipli 63 (53b,6x4,3x6) led the attack from the front along with Mir Kaunian Abbas (42) after the Bulls had lost two wickets for 22 runs at the end of 3 overs. The Warriors kept picking wickets at regular intervals and kept a constant check on the run rate of Bijapur Bulls. But a late assault in the end hurt the Warriors. Suneel Raju (28) and KL Shrijith (17) shared a partnership of 44 runs from 23 balls for the sixth wicket. The Bijapur Bulls posted a score of 167 for 6 in five overs. In reply, the Mysuru Warriors raced to 43 runs in 4.3 overs. Openers Rajoo Bhatkal (29) and Arjun Hoysala (21) failed to convert their start into a big score. The introduction of K.C. Cariappa (2 for 23) saw the dismissal of Arjun Hoysala. Soon, Amit Verma was also dismissed by Zahoor Farooqui, who was caught brilliantly by Bharath. With the fall of wickets, the pressure kept increasing as the run rate sky rocketed. Bijapur Bulls were inconsistent in their line of bowling, and gave away 18 wides in their innings. With 48 runs needed of the last 5 overs, Skipper J. Suchith’s (34 n.o.) effort went in vain as the Warriors fell short. With seven required of the last ball, Suchith needed to hit a six to tie the scores. He managed to a boundary through extra cover and the Warriors lost the game by two runs. The Mysuru Warriors finished at 165 for 5 in 20 overs. Both Mysuru Warriors and Bijapur Bulls have six points in their name with a game in hand. Mysuru Warriors are placed at the third spot ahead of Bijapur Bulls who are placed fourth due to a better net run rate. Mysuru Warriors will play Bengaluru Blasters today at 6.30 pm and Bijapur Bulls will play Shivamogga Lions at 2 pm today.
SCORE
