TNPL 3, Match 26, Review: Bowlers keep Lyca Kovai Kings alive in the tournament

Lyca Kovai Kings displayed their bowling might as they defeated Siechem Madurai Panthers in 2018 Sankar Cement-TNPL by eight wickets at the ICL Sankar Nagar ground in Tirunelveli on Saturday, Aug 4, after the toss was presided by India legend MS Dhoni.

Choosing to bowl first, Kovai Kings ran through the batting line-up of Madurai Panthers and restricted them for 103/8 in the first innings. The Kovai Kings chased 104 comfortably to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Lyca Kovai Kings with tonight’s win finish at four wins from their seven matches and their fate depends on the results of tomorrow’s matches. The loss puts Madurai Panthers’ spot in the top two in danger as iDream Karaikudi Kaalai can overtake them with a win tomorrow.

Madurai Panthers lost their most dependable batsman KB Arun Karthik in the first over itself. The Panthers then recorded the lowest Powerplay score of the 2018 Sankar Cement-TNPL as they posted 25/3 in six overs.

Thalaivan Sargunam’s run-out in the 8th over sparked a collapse as the Kovai Kings kept chipping away with regular wickets and reduced the Panthers to 59/8 in 15 overs.

The unbeaten ninth-wicket partnership of 44(30) between J Kousik n.o. 32(28b,1×4,2×6) and Varun Chakravathi n.o. 20(15b,2×4,1×6) lifted the final score to 103/8 in 20 overs for the Panthers. K Vignesh took 2-23 while other four bowlers picked up a wicket each for the Kovai Kings.

Chasing 104 runs, Lyca Kovai Kings were never in danger despite losing the captain Abhinav Mukund early. After Shahrukh Khan’s 29(24b,3×4,1×6), Ashwin Venkataraman n.o. 28(29b,2×4,1×6) and R Rohith n.o. 34(37,3×4) guided the Kings to an eight-wicket victory.

Brief scores:

Siechem Madurai Panthers 103/8 in 20 overs (J Kousik n.o. 32, K Vignesh 2-23, T Natarajan 1-11) lost to Lyca Kovai Kings 107/2 in 17.2 overs (R Rohith n.o. 34, Shahrukh Khan 29, Ashwin V n.o. 28, R Karthikeyan 1-16) by eight wickets.

AWARDS

‘Krishna Mines Super White Super Fours’ Award:  Shahrukh Khan/R Rohith (Lyca Kovai Kings)

‘Sankar Cement’ Maximum Sixes Award: J Kousik (Siechem Madurai Panthers)

‘Equitas Funtastic’ Player of the Match:  Shahrukh Khan (Lyca Kovai Kings)

‘Sprite Most Refreshing Player’ Award:  K Vignesh (Lyca Kovai Kings)

‘Most numbers of DOT BALL bowled in the match’ Award: T Natarajan/MP Rajesh (Lyca Kovai Kings)

‘Sankar Cement Man of the Match’ Award: T Natarajan (Lyca Kovai Kings)

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