TNPL 2018: Siechem Madurai Panthers choke Chepauk Super Gillies for historic maiden win

The Panthers have now registered their first win in the TNPL 2018.

Published - 17 Jul 2018, 11:43 IST | Updated - 17 Jul 2018, 11:43 IST

2 Min Read

Siechem Madurai Panthers registered their first victory in the history of the Sankar Cement-TNPL competition as they defeated Chepauk Super Gillies by 26 runs in the ongoing third edition at the ICL Sankar Nagar ground in Tirunelveli on Monday, July 16. It was defending champions Gillies second defeat in as many matches.

After posting what appeared to be a below-par 153/9, another defeat loomed for Madurai Panthers. However, their bowling and fielding was top drawer. Panthers made Gillies work hard for their singles while drying up the boundaries. At the halfway stage of the chase, Gillies required 100 to win from 60 balls.

A brief rain-intervention at that stage appeared to have helped Gillies who injected fresh enthusiasm and intent into the chase. Despite hitting a few boundaries, the target, in the end, proved out of reach for the defending champions while the Panthers kept up the pressure by taking wickets at regular intervals.

Spinners do it for Panthers

The spin duo of Rahil Shah and Varun Chakravathi shared six wickets. Gillies were bowled out for 127. Earlier, Panthers also struggled with the bat. They lost both openers cheaply but the middle-order came to the rescue. Shijit Chandran once again played a handy knock of 37 (29b, 2×4, 2×6).

J Kousik, batting at No 6, hit a quick-fire 37 (21b,1×4,3×6) to take Madurai Panthers to a respectable total.

Gillies’ leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin bowled superbly, returning figures of 3-24.

Tuesday, July 17, is a rest day.

Brief scores: Siechem Madurai Panthers 153/9 in 20 overs (J Kousik 37, Shijit Chandran 37, S Nilesh 31, M Ashwin 3-24, Sunny Kumar Singh 3-29) bt Chepauk Super Gillies 127 all out in 20 overs (S Karthik 28, GS Raju 24, V Chakravathi 3-16, Rahil Shah 3-27) by 26 runs.