Hubballi, Sep 19: Mangalore United's opener Nishant Shekhawat became the first batsman to score a century in the fifth edition of Karnataka Premier League (KPL) Twenty20 tournament, as the Rockstars were handed their second successive defeat, at the KSCA stadium in Rajnagar on Monday evening (September 19).
Shekhawat (106, 61b, 5x6, 8x4), adjudged Man-of-the-match, smashed fours and sixes in an outstanding exhibition of T20 batting, as his terrific hundred lifted United to an eventually winning total of 195 in 20 overs. (Samarth, Uthappa guide Bulls to victory)
Rockstars chasing an intimidating target batted with a lot of spirit through Ritesh Bhatkal (49 not out, 32b; 3x6, 4x4), Madan Mohan (32, 24b; 2x6, 3x4) and Charan Teja (23, 23b; 3x4). But they were always likely to fall short of the target. They lost by 53 runs.
Earlier, Shekhawat and Shishir Bhavane (32; 26b, 1x6, 2x4) added 91 runs in 10 overs to put the Rockstars under the pump. Shekhawat was dismissed soon after scoring a fine hundred, but by then he had done enough to steer United to a mammoth 195 for three after 20 overs.
Brief Scores
Mangalore United: 195/3 in 20 overs (Nishant Shekhawat 106, C Gautam 32, H Basavraj 24 n.o; R More 2/9, Bhareth NP 2/27 ) beat Rockstars: 142/7 in 20 overs (M Mohan 32, R Bhatkal 49; R Bhatkal 1/35) by 53 runs
OneIndia News