In the first three days of the ninth season of TNPL, a transparent sample has emerged.
The methodology up to now has been to bowl first, limit the opponent to a below-par rating after which chase it down.
After Dindigul Dragons and Chepauk Super Gillies, it was the flip of Nellai Royal Kings to execute this system because it posted a five-wicket win over Trichy Grand Cholas at the Sri Ramakrishna College Ground right here on Saturday.
Chasing 158, the Royal Kings’ skipper Okay.B. Arun Karthick received his aspect off to a flyer, smashing a quickfire 41 (21b, 6×4, 2×6). At the different finish, D. Santhosh Kumar hit V. Athisayaraj Davidson for 4 boundaries in the third over as the Nellai aspect managed 66 in the PowerPlay. But off-spinner U. Mukilesh (three for 23) introduced his aspect again into the sport, taking three wickets in 4 overs, together with that of Santhosh. N.S. Harish (35 n.o., 22b, 5×4, 1×6), nevertheless, held his nerve and located well timed boundaries to get his aspect previous the end line.
The victory, although, was arrange by the Royal Kings’ bowlers, who restricted the Cholas to only 157 for eight. Top-order batters Waseem Ahmed and Jafar Jamal have been too conservative regardless of a deep batting line-up as their aspect managed 62 in the first 10 overs. Later, R. Rajkumar gave some momentum via his fast unbeaten 30.
But medium-pacer Sonu Yadav despatched in a dream remaining over, performing a hat-trick to limit the Cholas to a gettable complete. Fittingly, Sonu closed out the sport with the bat by tonking his brother Sanjay Yadav down the floor for a six.
The scores: Trichy Grand Cholas 157/8 in 20 overs (Waseem Ahmed 41, Jaffer Jamal 39, R. Rajkumar 30 n.o., Sonu Yadav 3/22) misplaced to Nellai Royal Kings 162/5 in 19.2 overs (Okay.B. Arun Karthick 41, D. Santhosh Kumar 45, N.S. Harish 35 n.o.; U. Mukilesh 3/23). Toss: NRK.
Sunday’s matches: Siechem Madurai Panthers vs Salem Spartans (3.15 p.m.); Dindigul Dragons vs IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans (7.15 p.m.)
Published – June 07, 2025 11:16 pm IST
