R. Sanjay Yadav’s quickfire 68 (33b, 4×4, 6×6) played a pivotal role in setting the stage for Trichy Grand Cholas’ impressive 35-run win over SKM Salem Spartans at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground on Sunday. Batting first, the Grand Cholas started slowly, with the top order struggling to hit boundaries and managing only 58 for three at the halfway mark. However, Sanjay and Jafar Jamal (32) turned the tide, stitching a crucial 77-run partnership (44b) for the fourth wicket as Cholas amassed 198 for five.
Despite battling a hamstring injury, Sanjay showcased his clean hitting prowess, particularly against the pacers. He started by pulling Harish Kumar for a maximum over square-leg and then treated Sunny Sandhu to a similar fate. In the 18th over, he decimated Harish Kumar, smashing him for three consecutive sixes, the first of which, a stylish flick over fine-leg, took him to his half-century. Cameos from R. Rajkumar (18 n.o. 5b) and P. Saravana Kumar (17 n.o., 6b) ensured a strong finish for Cholas, as they plundered 74 runs off the last four overs.
In reply, the Spartans got off to a promising start when R. Vivek went after pacer K. Easwaran, collecting a brace of boundaries and sixes in a 22-run fourth over. He then lofted Saravana Kumar (three for 28) for consecutive sixes down the ground, but the bowler had the last laugh when he had Vivek caught at long-on. From that point on, the Spartans lost their way during the middle overs. Muhammed Adnan Khan (40) and Sunny Sandhu (29) valiantly tried to keep their team in the game, but the Trichy side’s bowlers kept getting regular breakthroughs, eventually bundling out the Spartans for 163 and sealing their second win.
The second match of the day saw Chepauk Super Gillies emerge victorious against Dindigul Dragons by nine wickets in a rain-curtailed seven-over game. Batting first, the Dragons managed 64 for six, riding on skipper R. Ashwin’s unbeaten cameo of 45 (20b, 3×4, 4×6). In reply, N. Jagadeesan (32 n.o.) and skipper B. Aparajith (31 n.o.) made short work of the target, with the four-time champion romping home with 13 balls to spare.
