TNPL | Hari, Sunny and Mohammed steal the limelight as Spartans get past Cholas

C. Hari Nishaanth’s fashionable 83 (58b, 7×4, 3×6), and M. Mohammed’s sensible spell (4 for 20) have been the highlights of SKM Salem Spartans’ thrilling seven-run win over Trichy Grand Cholas in the TNPL at the Sri Ramakrishna College floor right here on Tuesday.

Spartans, put in to bat, made 179 for eight on the again of a 93-run partnership between Hari and Sunny Sandhu (45, 27b, 1×4, 4×6) for the fourth wicket.

In reply, the Cholas’ chase went off the rails in the PowerPlay as soon as Sunny eliminated S. Sujay and Waseem Ahmed. The Trichy facet managed solely 28 for 4 in the first six overs, and slumped into deeper bother at 48 for six.

However, J. Kousik (62, 39b, 5×4, 3×6) and R. Rajkumar (59, 26b, 5×4, 5×6) didn’t go down with no battle and gave a mighty scare by smashing the Spartans’ bowlers throughout the park throughout their 88-run alliance for the seventh wicket off simply 41 balls.

Earlier, Hari’s innings was all about timing and magnificence as he hit some pristine drives down the floor and by way of covers off the pacers in the PowerPlay to get his facet off to a gentle begin.

After the tenth over, the opener and Sunny stepped up a gear, taking over the spinners who struggled to grip the moist ball following night rains that brought about a 25-minute delay to the begin of the sport.

Though Cholas pulled issues again in the final 5, giving simply 41 runs, the failure of the top-order proved expensive in the finish.

The scores: SKM Salem Spartans 179/8 in 20 overs (C. Hari Nishaanth 83, Sunny Sandhu 45, Athisayaraj 3/31) bt Trichy Grand Cholas 172/9 in 20 overs (J. Kousik 62, R. Rajkumar 59, Sunny Sandhu 2/18, Mohammed 4/20).

Toss: Grand Cholas.

Wednesday’s match:

Lyca Kovai Kings vs Siechem Madurai Panthers (7.15 p.m.).