Nidhish S. Rajagopal’s glowing half-century (60, 41b, 7×4, 2×6) and R. Kavin’s regular hand guided SKM Salem Spartans to a six-wicket win over Siechem Madurai Panthers within the afternoon sport of the TNPL-9 on the Sri Ramakrishna College floor right here on Sunday.
In pursuit of 165, Spartans misplaced their openers cheaply, however Nidhish ensured his facet received 48 within the PowerPlay. The left-hander, who has a powerful off-side sport, smashed Ok. Gowtham Thamarai Kannan for 3 boundaries within the third over to get going.
Nidhish confirmed nice composure to find the boundaries, together with two maximums, at a time when his associate, Kavin (48 n.o., 39b, 1×4, 4×6), couldn’t get going.
Once Nidhish received out, Kavin took cost and hit three enormous sixes, together with two consecutive ones off M. Ashwin within the seventeenth over to hasten the top.
In the primary innings, a late flourish from Atheeq Ur Rahman (38, 21b, 1×4, 3×6) helped Panthers get to 164 for six. Left-arm spinner S. Ajith Ram and Rahil Shah bowled a good spell within the center part of the innings as R. Ram Arvindh and skipper N.S. Chaturved struggled to seek out the boundaries regardless of including 50 for the second wicket.
The left-handed Atheeq broke the shackles by flicking and lofting medium-pacer S. Harish Kumar for a 4 and a six respectively. He then collected two extra sixes earlier than he was dismissed.
Medium-pacers M. Mohammed and M. Poiyamozhi utilised their slower deliveries successfully, as Panthers failed to attain a boundary within the final two overs. The runs left on the desk price the previous champion dearly.
Dream efficiency
In the second match of the day, debutant pacer A. Esakkimuthu produced a sensational efficiency (4-0-26-4) to assist his facet IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans bundle out Dindigul Dragons for 93 and cruise to a thumping nine-wicket win.
Dragons raced to 59 for one within the PowerPlay earlier than Esakkimuthu ran by means of the middle-order and triggered a collapse. Tushar Raheja (65 n.o., 6×4, 5×6) then accomplished the formalities in fast time, sending the Dragons’ bowlers on a leather-based hunt. The left-hander took down R. Ashwin for 3 sixes and adopted it up by smashing Varun for 2 fours and a six en route his second half-century of the season.
The scores: Siechem Madurai Panthers 164/6 in 20 overs (R. Ram Arvindh 37, N.S. Chaturved 32, Atheeq Ur Rahman 38, Mohammed 2/27) misplaced to SKM Salem Spartans 167/4 in 18.4 overs (Nidhish S. Rajagopal 60, R. Kavin 48 n.o., Gurjapneet Singh 2/28, M. Ashwin 2/35). Toss: Spartans.
Dindigul Dragons 93 in 16.2 overs (Shivam Singh 30, Sai Kishore 2/9, Esakkimuthu 4/26, Mathivannan 3/12) misplaced to IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans 94/1 in 11.5 overs (Tushar Raheja 65 n.o.). Toss: Tamizhans.
Monday’s match: Chepauk Super Gillies vs Nellai Royal Kings (7.15 p.m.).
Published – June 08, 2025 09:19 pm IST
