‘Tulunad Tigers’ Win Trophy & Rs 2 Lakh Cash Prize in Bunts Premier League-season 1 Cricket Tournament held from 24-26 May at Sahyadri College grounds, Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Yes, it was a Total Bunts Showcase-the First of Its Kind ‘Bunts Premier League: Season 1’ which kicked off at Sahyadri College Grounds on 24 May, and culminated on 26 May. Two young and energetic Bunt Youth, namely Prasad Shetty, a former “Strong Man of India” in the National Powerlifting Contest held in the year 2017-18, and currently a promoter/trainer in sports activity, joined by his co-organizer Sachin Raj Rai, who is managing a Monkey Mayhem Fight Club (Muaythai) and also a Champion in National Muaythai Championship, had come up with this unique league for the FIRST time to host the “BUNTS PREMIER LEAGUE 2019 : SEASON-1” – a ten over each cricket tournament.
The inaugural of the tournament was graced by actor Rakshith Shetty, along with Dr A J Shetty ( Chairman-AJ Institutions), Dr Mohan Alva (Chairman-Alva’s Education Trust); Sadanand Shetty (Chairman- Sri Devi Education Trust); Jayanth Shetty (former Superintendent of Police-DK); Raghu Shetty (chartered accountant); Dr Bharath Shetty (MLA); Raviraj Shetty, Sundar Shetty, Chandrahas Shetty, Devi Prasad Shetty, Prasad Rai Kallimar, Raj Gopal Rai, Navneeth Shetty, Shekhar Rai, Ganesh Shetty ( all BIG TIME entrepreneurs) among others. Eight team owners also joined the dignitaries on the dais.
The cricket tournament was inaugurated in a traditional Kudla way, and not by releasing balloons in the air, instead by breaking the coconut on a concrete slab by Sadanand Shetty and A J Shetty. The first three matches on the opening day were played between Tulunad Tigers Vs Mangalore Bulls; Kudla Super Kings Vs Royal Bunts; and Mijar Yerukulu Vs A J Warriors.
The BPL has eight Franchise teams, namely- “A J Warriors” owned by Prasanth Shetty and Ashish Shetty (Team Mentor- Kishore Shetty and Team Ambassador-Ms Drayva Shetty); “Mijar Yerukulu” owned by Vijayanath Vittal Shetty and Arjun Rai ( Team Mentor-Nehal and Team Ambassador- Ms Ankitha Shetty); “Royal Bunts” owned by Preethi Shetty Rai and Prasad Shetty ( Team Ambassador- Ms Namratha Rai); “Leeds United” owned by Kishore D Shetty and Prashanth Alva ( Team Mentor-Prakash Shetty and Team Ambassador-Ms Niriksha Shetty) ; “Polali Tigers” owned by Jayaraj Shetty and Suraj Shetty ( Team Mentor- Sandeep Bhandary and Team Ambassador- Ms Rithika Shetty); “Tulunad Tigers” owned Cine star Rakshith Shetty and Ajay Shetty ( Team Mentor- Dhanraj Varadhram and Team Ambassador-Ms Smrithi Shetty); “Mangaluru Bulls” owned by Nithin Shetty and PraveenChandra Alva ( Team Mentor- Nelson and Team Ambassador- Ms Aaradya Shetty); and “Kudla Super Kings” owned by Sadanand Shetty ( Team Mentor- Devi Charan Shetty and Team Ambassador- Shreya Shetty)”.
The Advisory Committee members of KPL were- A Sadanand Shetty, A J Shetty, N Raviraj Shetty, Sundar Shetty, Ganesh Shetty, Rajgopal Rai, Sureshchandra Shetty, ChandrahasShetty, Mahabala Marla and Devi Charan Shetty. Regarding the format of the League- there were 8 teams divided into two pools like A and B, and each team played 3 league matches in their pool, and two teams from each pool will qualify for Semi Final, followed by Finals, held on 26 May. These matches were played during daylight and also under flood-lit lights, and each match was of ten overs.
In the Finals held on 26 May, the Team “Tulunad Tigers” owned by actor Rakshith Shetty were the winners, taking home a trophy and a cash prize of Rs two lakhs; while the Runners-Up were Mangalore Bulls, owned by Nithin Shetty who took home Rs 1 lakh cash prize and a trophy. Man of the Match in the Finals was Prajwal Rai of Tulunad Tigers; Highest Run Scorer (Orange Cap) was Amruth Shetty of Mangalore Bulls; Highest Wickets Taker was Amruth Shetty (Mangalore Bulls); and the prestigious prize-The “Man of the Series” went to Amruth Shetty of Mangalore Bulls, who received a brand new Suzuki Scooter.
The compere of the evening was Tulu/Kannada actor handsome and debonair Roopesh Shetty, who rocked the stage and mesmerized the crowd with his witty punchlines- and the star attraction of the evening was yet another Tulu/Kannada actor Rakshith Shetty, who was thronged by his fans. The organizers Prasad Shetty and Sachin Raj Shetty thanked everyone for making the FIRST BPL -Season 1 Cricket Tournament a SUCCESS. Bunts Rock!
