Sachin steers Vida Kovai Kings to 34-run TNPL victory over SKM Salem Spartans

Vida Kovai Kings defeated SKM Salem Spartans by 34 runs at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul on Thursday in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, with B. Sachin’s aggressive innings pivotal to the win.

The two-time champions took a first step towards recapturing the TNPL crown by electing to bat and posting a competitive total. B. Sachin disrupted the opposition with a fluent knock and had previously struck a century in his last outing against the Spartans, while Abhinav Kannan contributed in the middle order to push Kovai toward a defendable score.

Sachin finished with 77 (42b, 7x4, 4x6) and put on an 85-run second-wicket partnership with Abhinav Kannan, whose contribution helped Kovai reach 194 for eight in their 20 overs. Kovai’s total set the platform for their bowlers to apply pressure on Salem in the chase.

Pacer Deeban Lingesh produced a decisive opening spell for Kovai, taking three wickets for 14 runs and including a two-wicket first-over maiden that swung the game early. His three-wicket opening burst removed the top-order impetus and put Salem on the back foot.

Salem’s top three—R. Kavin, skipper S. Abishiek and C. Hari Nishaanth—were dismissed in that order, leaving the visitors reeling at eight for four inside the fourth over; Kavin edged to slip, Abishiek picked out the backward-point fielder, and Hari Nishaanth failed to find his bearings. The early collapse curtailed Salem’s chase.

Nidhish Rajagopal counterattacked with 69 (52b, 6x4, 2x6) and, together with Harish Kumar (25), put on a 60-run sixth-wicket stand that narrowed the margin, but Salem were eventually bowled out for 160 in 19.4 overs. The scorecard reflected contributions across both sides’ bowling attacks and batting efforts.

The detailed scores: Vida Kovai Kings 194/8 in 20 overs (Abhinav Kannan 32, B. Sachin 77, M. Udaya Kumar 3/37, S. Ajith Ram 2/36, M. Poiyamozhi 3/35) beat SKM Salem Spartans 160 in 19.4 overs (Nidhish Rajagopal 69, M. Mohammed 30, Deeban Lingesh 3/14, M. Siddharth 2/18, G. Kishoor (Impact Player) 3/18).

Friday’s TNPL fixtures are Chepauk Super Gillies vs. iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans at 3.30 p.m. and Nellai Royal Kings vs. Dindigul Dragons at 7.30 p.m.