Vida Kovai Kings beat Chepauk Super Gillies by five wickets in TNPL-10 opener

Vida Kovai Kings defeated Chepauk Super Gillies by five wickets in the opening TNPL-10 fixture at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday, reaching 168 for 5 in 18.5 overs to chase down 167.

Sent in to bat, Chepauk were dismissed for 167 in 19.3 overs after a PowerPlay that produced 48 for three; skipper N. Jagadeesan and Mokit Hariharan fell to M. Siddharth and R. Divakar respectively, and K. Aashiq ran himself out following a direct hit from G. Kishoor.

Ram Arvindh, used as the Impact Player, top-scored with 63 off 32 balls (7x4, 4x6) and, with Swapnil Singh (20 off 19, 2x4), put on an 80-run fourth-wicket partnership, but M. Siddharth castled Arvindh to leave Chepauk 101 for four in 10.3 overs.

No. 8 Dinesh Raj provided a late contribution of 32 off 18 balls (3x4, 2x6), yet R.S. Ambrish chipped away with three wickets for 22 to restrict Chepauk’s innings.

In reply, Kovai’s top order set the tone: S. Radhakrishnan scored 38 off 18 balls (3x4, 3x6), S. Lokeshwar made 40 off 39 balls (3x4) and B. Sachin added 37 off 23 balls (5x4, 1x6), enabling the chase to be completed in 18.5 overs.

Kovai lost three wickets for 13 runs in the middle overs, but skipper Shahrukh Khan produced a late cameo that helped steady the innings and secure the victory.

The official scores read: Chepauk Super Gillies 167 in 19.3 overs (Ram Arvindh 63, Dinesh Raj 32; M. Siddharth 2/24, R.S. Ambrish 3/22) lost to Vida Kovai Kings 168/5 in 18.5 overs (S. Radhakrishnan 38, S. Lokeshwar 40, B. Sachin 37). Wednesday’s match is Dindigul Dragons vs. Trichy Grand Cholas at 7.30 p.m.