KPL 2019: Top 5 run-scorers from the Bengaluru leg

The 2019 Karnataka Premier League's Bengaluru leg culminated with an exciting contest between the Ballari Tuskers and the Shivamogga Lions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

A total of 15 matches were contested in Bengaluru as the CM Gautam-led Ballari Tuskers finished on the top of the points table with four wins from five games while the the Shivamogga Lions registered three wins from four matches to take the second spot.

The Hubli Tigers, who started the season on a poor note with two losses in a row, made a comeback to seal two straight victories. On the other hand, Bengaluru Blasters - who have not had too much luck on their side - finished with two abandoned games and a win from five games.

The Belagavi Panthers and defending champions Bijapur Bulls picked up two wins each from their four games as part of the Bengaluru leg. Mysuru Warriors will be eager to pick up an elusive win in Mysuru as they ended their Bengaluru leg campaign without a single win from four matches.

With a number of high-profile stars taking to the field for their respective franchises, it was no surprise to see the likes of Manish Pandey and Krishnappa Gowtham among others star for their sides.

While these two stars did make a mark, many youngsters made the most of the opportunities presented to them as they led the way with the bat for their side and have stamped their authority for the rest of the season.

Here are the top five run-scorers at the end of the Bengaluru leg.

---

#5 Manish Pandey (Belagavi Panthers)

Manish Pandey is the leading run-scorer for the Panthers

Manish Pandey missed out from featuring in the opening game of Belagavi Panthers' campaign but returned for the second game, only for the match to be washed out owing to incessant rains.

However, in the game against the Hubli Tigers, Pandey stroked his way to a magnificent century. A 50-ball 102* helped his side out of troubled waters at 74/6 to take them to a fighting total of 180/7 from 20 overs.

After a fantastic century, Pandey carried his form over to the game against the Bengaluru Blasters and made a composed 30-ball unbeaten 58 that helped his side chase a modest target of 111 within 11.5 overs.

From two innings, Pandey scored a total of 160 runs at a strike rate of 200.00 and will prove to be a vital part of the Belagavi side for the upcoming games.

#4 Devdutt Padikkal (Ballari Tuskers)

Devdutt Padikkal will be a vital part of Ballari's campaign in the knockouts

All of 19 years of age, Devdutt Padikkal's stock has been on the rise with every passing year and in this edition of the KPL, the southpaw has been in top form with the bat for the Tuskers.

Retained by the franchise ahead of the player auctions, Padikkal repaid the faith invested in him by the franchise as he scored a fifty in the Tuskers' first match of the season - a 43-ball 54 that led his side to a five-run win against the Panthers.

In their next encounter against the Hubli Tigers, Padikkal's 56-ball 70 was a major driving force behind the Tuskers getting 163 on the board which proved to suffice as the Tigers fell short by 9 runs in the end.

Against the Bijapur Bulls, the Tuskers were set with a target of 163 but Padikkal had little to do as the openers set the platform with a 100-run partnership. Yet, his 20-ball 29 run cameo ensured that the Tuskers got across the line easily in the end.

In a rain-affected match against the Bengaluru Blasters, Padikkal had a rare failure as he fell for just seven runs and the youngster will hope to jump back into form in the Mysuru leg.

From five matches, Padikkal scored a total of 166 runs at a strike rate of 123.88.

#3 Bharath Chipli (Bijapur Bulls)

Bharath Chipli has led from the front with the bat for the Bulls

Defending champions Bijapur Bulls' skipper Bharath Chipli seems to have picked up from where he left off last season as he has yet again found himself amongst the runs from this edition of the competition and has brought about quick starts for the Bulls.

Chipli made a solid start to the season as he chipped away to a 25-ball 39 with six fours and one six against the Bengaluru Blasters in a match that was abandoned due to rain. Against the Ballari Tuskers, Chipli registered his first half-century of KPL 2019, a 39-ball 50 but was unfortunate to end on the losing side.

In an important clash against the Mysuru Warriors, Chipli was at his aggressive best, registering the fastest fifty in KPL as he reached the landmark in just 20 balls. He ultimately finished with a 40-ball 77 with seven fours and six sixes and was a major driving force in his side's eight-wicket win.

Against the Hubli Tigers, the dashing opener started cautiously and got out for a 22-ball 15, his only moderate show from four games. Overall, Chipli notched up a total of 181 runs from four matches at a fantastic strike rate of 143.65.

#2 Abhishek Reddy (Ballari Tuskers)

Abhishek Reddy has been consistent at the top for the Tuskers

Opening the batting for the Ballari Tuskers this season, Abhishek Reddy could not start the season on a dominating note but has put up a string of impressive scores from the last three games.

Reddy did not start too strong with almost a run-a-ball 35 against the Belagavi Panthers, while his 21-ball 24 against the Hubli Tigers failed to bring about the fluency and stroke-making that he is known for.

However, he soon found his bearings when he came up against the Bijapur Bulls, threading the gaps to perfection as he brought up his first half-century of the season, a 54-ball unbeaten 62 that led the Tuskers to a 7-wicket victory.

Against Hubli, Reddy's 23-ball 30 was the only saving grace in a batting collapse as the Tuskers were placed at 55-5 until rain intervened and handed their opponents, Bengaluru Blasters, a one-run win.

In yet another shortened match against the Shivamogga Lions, Reddy was on the attack right from the first ball as he laid the impetus for a big score with a 16-ball 34 comprised of three fours and two sixes, proving his worth at the top of the order.

From five matches, Abhishek Reddy notched up a total of 185 runs at a strike rate of 125.85.

#1 KV Siddharth (Mysuru Warriors)

KV Siddharth has exhibited the perfect mix of patience and aggression with the bat

One of the only bright sparks in Mysuru Warriors' dismal campaign thus far has been KV Siddharth's form with the bat, as the youngster notched up two fifties from three innings as part of the Bengaluru leg.

Siddharth could not open his account in the washed-out game against the Bengaluru Blasters but was soon in the thick of things as he laid anchor during the Warriors' chase against the Shivamogga Lions.

Set a target of 167, barring Siddharth who scored a fluent 54-ball 77 with 10 fours and a six, none of the other batsmen could stand tall as a flurry of wickets saw the Warriors fall short by 14 runs.

In the next game against the Belagavi Panthers, Mysuru skipper Amit Verma opted to bat under overcast conditions. Opener Dega Nischal was sent back in the second over but yet again, KV Siddharth applied his technique remarkably well as he made his way to an unbeaten 32-ball 49 with six fours and a six before the game was called off due to excessive rains.

In their final game of the Bengaluru leg, Mysuru were put in to bat by Bharath Chipli and within two overs, Nischal and skipper Amit Verma were back in the hut. The onus was yet again on Siddharth to lead the way and he did not disappoint, scoring an important 55-ball unbeaten 73 with three fours and three sixes.

From three innings, Siddharth finished with a total of 199 runs at a strike rate of 141.13 and he will be a key component of the Warriors' campaign at home, in their quest to claim a spot in the playoffs.