The eighth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) witnessed a thrilling double-header on Sunday, with both matches going down to the wire.
In the first match, Nellai Royal Kings chased down a 167-run target with three wickets and a ball to spare against Chepauk Super Gillies. The chase was initially set up by opener Mokit Hariharan’s 52 runs off 38 balls, followed by a whirlwind 14-ball cameo of 30 runs by G. Ajitesh. However, it was left-hander Nidhish Rajagopal who stole the show with a stunning knock of 53 runs off just 35 balls. With 20 runs needed off the last six balls, Rajagopal smashed medium-pacer Aswin Crist for a four, two sixes, and a four in succession, sealing victory for Nellai.
Chepauk, batting first, had reached a respectable score of 166 for six thanks to opener N. Jagadeesan’s unbeaten 63. Jagadeesan’s innings featured two notable sixes, one off debutant leg-spinner R. Kirubakar and another off left-arm spinner Mohan Prasath.
The second match of the day was an equally intense encounter between Lyca Kovai Kings and iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans. Kovai Kings captain M. Shahrukh Khan played a crucial role with his 55 runs off 32 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes. Tushar Raheja’s resilient knock of 81 runs off 57 balls for Tiruppur almost took his team to victory, but his dismissal with six runs needed off four balls proved decisive. Ajith Ram’s boundary off medium-pacer M. Mohammed brought Kovai within one run of victory. However, in a dramatic finish, Ram missed the final ball, and the keeper ran out his partner S. Ganesh, giving Kovai Kings a one-run victory.
The day’s matches were filled with exciting moments, showcasing the high level of competition in the TNPL. Nidhish Rajagopal’s match-winning knock for Nellai and Shahrukh Khan’s power-hitting for Kovai were the highlights of the day, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.
