TNPL: Madurai Panthers overhaul Trichy Grand Cholas in Dindigul thriller

Madurai Panthers defeated Trichy Grand Cholas at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul on Wednesday in a Tamil Nadu Premier League match, winning by two wickets with two deliveries to spare. The result was settled in the closing stages after a late finish pulled Madurai over the line.

Madurai had to chase 174 and, when the late partnership formed, required 42 runs from 17 balls to win. Panthers benefited from a missed chance in the penultimate over when Shyam Sundar spilled a catch offered at long-off, which allowed the lower order to extend the innings.

Gurjapneet Singh provided the initial momentum in the death overs, striking Antony Dhas for two fours and a six in the 18th over to revive the chase when it had stalled.

P. Saravanan completed the passage to victory with decisive strokes in the final over, including a maximum and a four off R. Rajkumar that finished the contest.

The scoreline: Trichy Grand Cholas 173/7 in 20 overs (J. Suresh Kumar 43, Sanjay Yadav 37 n.o., R. Rajkumar 35, S. Rajalingam 3/26) lost to Madurai Panthers 174/8 in 19.4 overs (Kiran Karthikeyan 38, Gowtham Thamarai Kannan (Impact Player) 2/36, R. Rajkumar 2/37, Antony Dhas 3/36). Pacer S. Rajalingam’s three for 26 had earlier helped Madurai keep Trichy to 173 for seven after B. Anirudh Sitaram elected to field.

In the other match, Nellai Royal Kings beat Chepauk Super Gillies by 50 runs. Nellai posted 204/6 in 20 overs (S.R. Athish 41, Rithik Easwaran 36, Sonu Yadav 35 n.o.; Abhishek Tanwar 2/54, M. Silambarasan 2/24) and Chepauk were dismissed for 154 in 17.2 overs (Ashwanth Valthapa 31; R. Rohit 2/41, B. Rocky (IP) 2/22, N.S. Harish 4/25, Sonu Yadav 2/16).

Thursday’s scheduled fixture is SKM Salem Spartans versus Vida Kovai Kings at 7.30 p.m.