Exciting Day at IGPL Krishna Invitational 2026: Young Talents Surge Ahead
Tight Race at the Top
In Hyderabad, Telangana, the second round of the IGPL Krishna Invitational 2026 saw Samarth Dwivedi and veteran Gaganjeet Bhullar sharing the lead 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 impressive opening round of 66 with a stellar five-under 65, bringing his total to nine-under 131. Bhullar, a four-time IGPL champion, maintained his form with a solid 66 after an initial 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.
Experience vs. Youth
Among the top four, only Bhullar has tasted victory before, while the other three are eager for their first IGPL triumph.
Dwivedi showcased his skill with a controlled performance, navigating the Hyderabad Golf Association course without letting the pressure affect his game. He started strong with birdies on the second and third holes, faced a setback with a bogey on the 11th, but quickly recovered with a birdie on the 14th and an eagle on the 17th.
On the other hand, Bhullar brings invaluable experience to the table. Having been part of the Indian professional circuit for two decades, he knows how to maintain composure as the tournament progresses. His consistent rounds of 65 and 66 place him in a strong position to contend for the title.
Impressive Performances from Ganapathy and Shah
The standout performances of the day came from Veer Ganapathy and Manav Shah. Ganapathy, who started the day at one-under, delivered 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 managed to stay focused. Today, I began with two birdies and just let my game flow. My father advised me to forget the previous day and enjoy the game, which I did."
Shah matched Ganapathy's score, moving from one-under to eight-under for the tournament. His round included nine birdies without any bogeys, showcasing his strong play throughout the day.
A Competitive Leaderboard
C. Muniyappa is in fifth place at seven-under 133 after a round of 68, keeping him firmly in contention. The leaderboard is tightly packed, with seven players tied at five-under 135, including M Dharma, Trishul Chinnappa, Saarthak Chhibber, Karandeep Kochhar, Sachin Baisoya, Pukhraj Singh Gill, and Ravi Kumar. With so many players close to the lead, one exceptional round could significantly change the tournament's dynamics.
Tushar Pannu and Joshua Grenville Wood follow at four-under 136, while Yashas Chandra stands alone at three-under 137. Further down the leaderboard, eight players are tied at two-under 138, including familiar names like Shiv Kapur and Ridhima Dilawari, who are at one-under 139 and even-par 140, respectively.
As the tournament progresses, Dwivedi and Bhullar will start Friday at the top, but Ganapathy and Shah have demonstrated how quickly fortunes can shift on the leaderboard.