Hubli Tigers vs Belagavi Panthers, Karnataka Premier League 2019, Today Match Prediction 21 Aug 2019

ht vs bp Match Prediction & Analysis

The match number 11 in KPL is between the Hubli Tigers and the Belagavi Panthers. Both teams have been consistent in KPL so far with Hubli Tigers reaching the semifinal mark on a consistent basis from 2015 to 2018. The 2017 Champions Panthers too have a good record in KPL, reaching the final 4 from 2014 to 2017. Having completed 2 matches each, both teams hover around the bottom of the points table with the rain helping the panthers to stay ahead of the Tigers at 5th position. 

Tigers haven’t performed badly with the bat, and they have managed to score more than 150 in their 2 outings. Tigers in their last attempt ran against the rampant Bellary Tuskers - opting to bowl leaked runs with the new ball as the opposition raced to 70 within 8 overs. Captain Vinay Kumar kept things in control from one end but his new-ball partner Vidyahar Patil conceded 49 from his 4 overs. Spinners were under bowled with a combination of only 4 overs from their left arm and leg spinner. With an uphill task to chase 164 against a quality Tuskers, the middle order failed to convert their starts. The lower order managed to score at a brisk rate, courtesy Vinay Kumar’s 24 balls 37 and Praveen Dubey’s 20 balls 28. But eventually, they fell short by 9 runs.

Only a few positives from the rain-affected match for Panthers against Mysuru Warriors. Barring Zahoor Farooqi’s opening spell of 1/6 from his 2 overs others leaked runs as opposition raised to 82 before rain interrupted. In their first outing against Tuskers batting let them down after restricting the Tuskers for 143 in 20 overs. Abhinav Manohar’s 26 off 19 and Bhatkal’ s 27 off 20 helped them to take the chase to the final over but they fell short by 5 runs.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Hubli Tigers Preview

It is their medium-pace bowling which is a concern as oppositions have handed comfortable defeats to the Tigers. Skipper Vinay should trust his spinners. Mitrakanth, their left-arm orthodox managed to take 4 wickets from the 6 overs he was asked to bowl so far in this tournament. The top-order needs to be settled, with time running out for the opener Taha after a duck and Wicket keeper Sisodia’s hit or dot mantra is also hurting them. Pawan who scored a brisk 53 off 37 against Shivamogga Lions should be allowed to spend more time in the middle. Dubey and Vinay’s death over hitting abilities will help the team’s cause if the top order gives them a good start.

Key Players:

Mitrakanth: The spinner is in a good rhythm and he can be a handful against Panthers who hardly have a left-hander in their playing 11.

KB Pawan: He looked fluent in with his innings against lions. He scored at a strike rate of 143 with 7 hits to the boundary and a maximum in his first outing. Got succumbed to pressure in his second visit. He will look to regroup and perform.

Hubli Tigers Predicted Playing XI:

Taha, M Vishwanathan, Luvnith Sisodia (Wk), KL Shrijith, KB Pawan, Vinay Kumar(C), Praveen Dubey, David Mathias, Somana, Mitrakanth, Vidyadhar Patil

Hubli Tigers Actual Playing XI:

KB Pawan, David Mathias, Praveen Dubey, Mohammad Taha, Mitrakanth-Yadav, KL Shrijith, Vinay Kumar, Aditya Somanna, Vidhyadhar Patil, Luvnith Sisodia, Shishir Bhavane

Belagavi Panthers Preview

The return of Manish Pandey at the top will help their weak top order batting line up. Skipper Abbas will look to better his dot filled 19 of 28 from his previous outing. Bhatkal’s economical off-break and his later order hitting are a huge positive in otherwise a disappointing start to this 2019 KPL for the panthers. Farooqi’s opening bursts and his skillful death bowling is needed again to help Manish Pandey and co to notch up a win.

Key Players:

Manish Pandey: He will look to use his international experience to help Panthers. He had a decent outing for India A against West indies with a match-winning century.

Ritesh Bhatkal: He has been economical so far with his off-breaks and will look to add up numbers to his wicket column.

Belagavi Panthers Predicted Playing XI:

R Samarth, Stallin Hoover, Manish Pandey, Kaunain Abbas(C & Wk), Abhinav Manohar, Dikshanshu Negi, Arshdeep Singh Brar, Ritesh Bhatkal, Shubang Hedge, Avinash D, Zahoor Farooqui

Belagavi Panthers Actual Playing XI:

Ravikumar Samarth, Abhinav Manohar, Ritesh Bhatkal, Kaunain Abbas, AS Brar, Manish Pandey, Zahoor Farooqui, Dikshanshu Negi, Shubang Hegde, D Avinash, Stallin Hoover

Weather Conditions

Chinnaswamy is not those 200 runs paradise these days. The average score in this tournament is 153. Bangalore weather gods have allowed only one match with a full quota of 40 overs in the tournament so far for the 7.00 Pm matches. Expect another rain-curtailed match.

Toss: WIN the toss, BAT First

Historically Chinnaswamy is the ground known for chasing. With rain having its say on each of the evening matches, Teams will look to have a bowl and chase the VJD revised total.