KPL 2018 | KP Appanna spins his magic as Mir Kaunain Abbas guides Bijapur Bulls to semis

Brief Scores: Shivamogga Lions - 140/9 from 20 overs (Adhoksh Hegde 42, Aditya Somanna 37, KP Appanna 4/21, Bhavesh Gulecha 3/31) lost to Bijapur Bulls - 141  ( Mir Kaunain Abbas 51, Bharath Chipli 43, Aniruddha Joshi 2/15, Aditya Somanna 2/28)

Bharath Chipli-led Bijapur Bulls racked up a crucial win in yesterday’s match against Mysore Warriors to cement their spot at number four in the KPL table. However, a win today against the struggling Shivamogga Lions took them up to number three and avoid the dangerous looking Bengaluru Blasters in the semi-final encounter.

Chipli won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadiyar Ground, in Mysore. The Lions got off to a brilliant start as openers - Sharath BR and Nihal Ullal notched up 30 runs from the first three overs. But it all went downhill for the strugglers from there onwards as they lost four wickets in quick succession and found themselves at 75/5 after 12 overs. A brilliant effort towards the end from lower order batsmen - Adhoksh Hegde and Aditya Somanna ensured that the Lions reached a respectable total of 140/9 after some stunning bowling from KP Appanna, who picked up four wickets which put the Bulls in contention for a second consecutive win on the trot.

Chasing an average total of 141, the Bijapur-based team were always the favourite to win the encounter against last-placed Lions. But the bowling team got off to a dream start as they picked up the crucial wicket of Naveen MG of the very first ball of the innings. But brilliant batting from in-form skipper Chipli and Mir Kaunain Abbas kept the bulls on track for a well-deserved win. Chipli was dismissed by a stunning catch on the boundary line by youngster Aniruddha Joshi which put the visitors in some trouble. Abbas, however, was in fine form today as he displayed some classy strokes en route to his half-century before being dismissed for 51. Some skillful bowling from Aniruddha Joshi and Aditya Somanna, who both picked up two wickets each ensured that the match went down to the last over, with the Bulls requiring six runs from the last six deliveries. However, Suneel Raju finished the game in style for last year’s runners-up as he hit a six to take his team to their third win of the season and ensure they finish at the number three on the rankings table.