KPL 2015, Match 2: Defending champions Mysuru Warriors to take on new comers Namma Shivamogga

Namma Shivamogga outfit warm-up on the eve of their opening tie in the KPL 2015 at the Rajnagar Stadium

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Hubballi, September 02, 2015: The sweet taste of success still fresh in their memory, defending champions Mysuru Warriors seek to retain the Karbonn Smart KPL title. The reigning champs take on new comers Namma Shivamogga in their opening tie, the first contest of KPL 2015 under lights here at the Rajnagar Stadium on Thursday.

Like old wine in a new bottle, Namma Shivamogga is a new team but the players in the rooster have all represented the State in one or the other age groups tournaments. As such, having G.K Anil Kumar as their coach also means that the coach knows his wards like the back of his hand having coached most of them if not all of them.

There is a comfort zone between the players and the coach and Anil knows just what the players can deliver.

“I am excited and just can’t wait for the team to get on the field tomorrow”, said Anil. “Yes, we are a new team, but the players know what is expected of them and they know that they can deliver if they follow certain basics as a team”, he added.

With Skipper Stuart Binny getting into Hubballi only on Wednesday evening, the team went through their practice paces under the noon sun and is looking forward to the encounter against Mysuru Warriors.

Although Mysuru Warriors sport a new look with new faces in the team, they are a confident outfit and are walking with a swagger. Skipper Manish Pandey, who made his debut for India last month at Zimbabwe, is capable of demolishing the best attack.

“We have an exciting set of players who are young and eager and I am happy with the way we are shaping up. We will do our best to retain the Trophy,” said Manish.

Blessed with amazing hand-eye coordination, Manish said, “When players are eager to perform, it makes it more interesting to lead and I have confidence in the bunch I am leading”.

The Warriors also possess players like Karnataka keeper/batsman CM Gautam, K Goutam, David Mathias, Darshan MB and left arm spinner J Suchith and the ‘Kid of the KPL’, Nikhin Jose, not yet 16!

Teams:

Mysuru Warriors: Manish Pandey (Capt), CM Gautam, Shantaraju G, Bharath N, Manjesh Reddy, R Madhusudhan, K Gowtham, DH Sunil Kumar, CK Akshay, Shoaib Manager, Dharshan MB, Jagadeesha Suchith, Arjun Hoysala, Anand Doddamani, Naveen MG, David Mathias, Nikin Jose Tejas Subramanya, Nihal Ullal and Kuldeep Kumar.

Namma Shivamogga: Stuart Binny (Capt), Sadiq Kirmani, Abrar Kazi, D Raghavendra, Hoysala K, Aditya B Sagar, Vijay Kumar HR, Daivik Vishwanath, Siddarth KV, Vikram Venkatesh, Shreyas Gopal, Abdul Khader, Milind Ramesh, Samrath Ooty, Dinesh Borwankar, Mir Kunian Abbas, Pradeep Gangadhar, Bhuvesh, Murali Krishna and Darshan.