Intense Competition at IGPL Krishna Invitational 2026: Young Talents Shine

The IGPL Krishna Invitational 2026 is heating up as Samarth Dwivedi and Gaganjeet Bhullar lead the pack, but young talents Veer Ganapathy and Manav Shah are making significant strides. With a tightly packed leaderboard, the upcoming rounds promise to be thrilling as competitors vie for the title. Discover how the players are performing and what to expect in the final stages of this exciting tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 9, 2026, 15:39 IST

Tight Race at the Top

After the second round of the IGPL Krishna Invitational 2026, Samarth Dwivedi and experienced player Gaganjeet Bhullar emerged as co-leaders on a competitive leaderboard. However, it was the emerging talents just behind them who added excitement to the tournament on day two.

Dwivedi followed up his initial score of 66 with an impressive five-under 65, bringing his total to nine-under 131. Bhullar, a four-time IGPL champion, maintained his form with a solid 66 after starting with a 65. They now hold a narrow one-shot lead over Veer Ganapathy and Manav Shah, who both delivered the best scores of the day at eight-under 132. Among the top four, only Bhullar has prior IGPL victories, while the others are vying for their first.

Leaders Exhibit Skill and Patience

Samarth Dwivedi showcased remarkable control during the second round, navigating the Hyderabad Golf Association course without letting the pressure affect his game. He birdied the second and third holes, dropped a shot on the 11th, but quickly regained momentum with a birdie on the 14th and an eagle on the 17th.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, with two decades of experience on the Indian professional circuit, demonstrated the patience required to excel in competitive golf. His consistent rounds of 65 and 66 have positioned him well to contend for another title.

Emerging Stars Make Their Mark

The standout performances of the day came from Veer Ganapathy and Manav Shah. Ganapathy, who had previously struggled, turned his game around with a remarkable nine-under 61, featuring 11 birdies and only two bogeys, including a streak of six consecutive birdies starting from the 10th hole.

Reflecting on his performance, Ganapathy stated, "Yesterday was tough, but I focused on starting strong today. I hit some great shots and made crucial putts, which made for a fantastic day."

Manav Shah matched Ganapathy's score, moving from one-under to eight-under overall. His round included nine birdies without any bogeys, showcasing his skill on both the front and back nines.

Exciting Weekend Ahead

The competitive nature of the Hyderabad Golf Association course was evident, as both young players proved that exceptional ball-striking and putting can lead to significant scores. Their performances have ensured that the leaders must remain vigilant in the final 36 holes.

C. Muniyappa is in fifth place at seven-under 133 after a round of 68, keeping him in contention. The leaderboard is congested, with seven players tied at five-under 135, including M Dharma, Trishul Chinnappa, and others.

With so many players within striking distance, a single outstanding round on Friday could dramatically shift the tournament dynamics. Tushar Pannu and Joshua Grenville Wood are next at four-under 136, while Yashas Chandra stands at three-under 137.

Further down the leaderboard, eight players are tied at two-under 138, including notable names like Udayan Mane and Shiv Kapur, who is at one-under 139 after a second-round 70.

As the tournament progresses, Dwivedi and Bhullar hold the lead, but Ganapathy and Shah have demonstrated how quickly fortunes can change. With a large group of competitors close behind, the final rounds promise to be thrilling.