The Trichy Grand Cholas roared back to life in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), defeating the Siechem Madurai Panthers by a convincing 67 runs on Tuesday. The victory was fueled by a breathtaking century partnership between Waseem Ahmed (90 not out) and Sanjay Yadav (60 not out), who turned the tide in a thrilling encounter.
After being asked to bat first, the Cholas struggled initially, reaching 69 runs in the first 10 overs. However, the introduction of Waseem and Sanjay transformed the innings completely. The duo unleashed a barrage of boundaries, smashing the bowlers to all corners of the stunning Salem Cricket Foundation Ground.
Waseem, playing his second TNPL match, displayed remarkable confidence and composure, despite a couple of lucky breaks. He showcased his power hitting ability, launching missiles down the ground with ease. Meanwhile, Sanjay Yadav was equally impressive, contributing significantly to the partnership with his aggressive batting.
Their 126-run stand, unbroken throughout their innings, propelled the Cholas to a formidable total of 193 for two. The Panthers, in reply, were left with a mountain to climb. Skipper Hari Nishaanth, who had earlier blasted 39 runs in a quickfire innings, tried to lead the charge. However, a cramp in the seventh over hampered his progress, and he was eventually dismissed for 39, leaving the Panthers reeling at 84 for five in 9.1 overs.
Despite valiant efforts from the remaining batsmen, the Panthers were unable to recover from this setback. The Cholas bowlers maintained their discipline, restricting the Panthers to a final score of 126, securing a comfortable victory for their team. The win was particularly significant for the Cholas, who had last tasted victory on July 21, 2022.
