Andre Siddarth steers Vida Kovai Kings to TNPL title at MAC Stadium

Andre Siddarth struck a 47-ball 82 to drive Vida Kovai Kings to a convincing 84-run win over Madurai Panthers in the TNPL final at the MAC Stadium on Friday. The innings also doubled as a birthday celebration for the 20-year-old batsman.

Vida Kovai Kings claimed their third TNPL title after a season that began slowly — one win from four matches — before a run of five straight victories culminated in success in the tournament's 10th edition. Electing to bat in the final, Kovai posted 182 for seven, powered by a 117-run third-wicket partnership between Andre and B. Sachin after openers S. Radhakrishnan and S. Lokeshwar provided a brisk start.

Andre’s knock measured 47 balls and featured seven fours and five sixes, with the left-hander reaching fifty off 34 deliveries. He was dropped on 44 by keeper Ramkumar off Rohan Bhutra and capitalised on that reprieve to accelerate his innings.

The youngster targeted pace bowling, taking early advantage of G. Periyasamy’s slower balls and then Rohan Bhutra’s offerings to move into the 70s. Although P. Saravanan claimed four wickets for 30 and restricted the late scoring in the final five overs, Andre and Sachin had already secured a competitive total.

Madurai’s chase unraveled when Deeban Lingesh and M. Siddharth removed the openers inside the first two overs. N.S. Chaturved and V. Hari Ragavendra attempted a recovery, but Ragavendra was run out attempting a needless single in the final over of the PowerPlay, further disrupting the innings.

Jhathavedh Subramanyan and Shahrukh then chipped away at the middle order to complete the collapse. The full scores read: Vida Kovai Kings 182/7 in 20 overs (B. Sachin 39, Andre Siddarth 82, P. Saravanan 4/30) beat Madurai Panthers 98 in 14.2 overs (N.S. Chaturved 40, Deeban Lingesh 2/30, M. Siddharth 3/18, Shahrukh Khan 3/10).

Andre Siddarth was named Player-of-the-final and B. Sachin received the Player-of-the-tournament accolade.