MATCH REPORT
Follow UsShahrukh Khan headlined the run-fest in the 1st match of Sunday's doubleheader as Lyca Kovai Kings defeated Siechem Madurai Panthers by 44 runs at The Indian Cements Cricket Ground.
The Siechem Madurai Panthers opted to field first on a dry surface. The team, however, had no answers for Lyca Kovai Kings batters, as the defending champions dominated right from ball one.
Gurjapneet Singh dismissed Sujay inside the powerplay. When one thought the Siechem Madurai Panthers had an opening, Suresh Kumar and Sachin B took the game away from them. The duo added 85 (48) for the second wicket.
While Sachin played an anchor role, Suresh Kumar took on the bowlers. Some sloppy fielding from the Siechem Madurai Panthers helped his cause as well.
The wicketkeeper got to his half-century in 21 deliveries, beating his teammate Ram Arvindh's record for the fastest half-century of this edition. Suresh Kumar got out after making 64 from 29. He provided the platform for Shahrukh Khan to play his natural inning. After Mukilesh got out early, Shahrukh Khan walked in at five.
Notably, the current orange cap holder, Sai Sudharsan, has left the team to play in the Duleep Trophy. Since the youngster was guarding the middle order all this time, Shahrukh Khan could not showcase his talent in this tournament.
With more than ten overs in hand, Shahrukh Khan had all the freedom to unleash. As expected, the all-rounder launched three sixes and six fours to reach his half-century in 20 deliveries, snatching the season's fastest fifty from his teammate.
After Shahrukh Khan's dismissal at 53 (23), Sachin made sure to take the team over 200 runs. Sachin B ended the innings with 67 (51).
The Siechem Madurai Panthers used seven bowlers, and everyone was expensive. Gurjapneet Singh and Swapnil Singh grabbed two wickets each.
Chasing a massive total, the Siechem Madurai Panthers needed something big from the top order. The team sent Washington Sundar to open the inning today. In previous matches, the all-rounder had played the finisher role for the team. However, the move did not work out, as he got out for just 14 runs.
Suresh Lokeshwar and Hari Nishaanth added 41 (29) for the second wicket, and when the duo got out, the momentum shifted towards the defending champions. After an excellent run-out from Jhathavedh Subramanya to dismiss the wicketkeeper, Hari Nishaanth fell to M. Siddharth. Shahrukh Khan timed his jump well to take an excellent catch to dismiss the opposition captain.
After some brilliance in the field, Shahrukh Khan dominated the bowling charts as well. The current Ather Purple Cap Holder grabbed two wickets today as well.
Krish Jain was the impact player for the Siechem Madurai Panthers today. He smashed a couple of boundaries before getting out to M. Siddharth in the same over. Similarly, Saravanan walked in, smashed a six off M. Siddharth, and got out in the next delivery to him.
The Siechem Madurai Panthers managed only 164 runs and lost the game by 44 runs. With one more match remaining, the team still has an excellent chance to make it to the knockout stage. Lyca Kovai Kings finish their league match with a big win. This guarantees them a top-two finish.
Losing Captain Hari Nishaanth said: The wicket was dry, and we thought it was a good pitch to bat on. We would have chased it if our batters had partnerships. We lost the game there. We will rectify it in the next game.
The winning captain and today's player of the match, Shahrukh Khan, said: Since Sai Sudharsan has gone, I had to step up. I felt this was my game to go and bat well. It came out really well. Everybody is stepping up, and all the batters are getting runs.
It's good to see I have been working on my bowling since last year. It is an added advantage to have, and it is good to contribute. Also, I did not expect to catch that (Hari Nishaanth's dismissal). It was instinct.
(Image and Match Report courtesy: TNPL)
