TNPL: Baba Aparajith powers Veerans to victory

Baba Aparajith flared with a 54-ball 91, comprising nine fours and four sixes. He put on 145 runs - the highest partnership in TNPL - with N. S. Chaturved and helped his team to a match-winning total.

Baba Aparajith was unstoppable as he scored his second consecutive half-century.

Baba Aparajith-led VB Thiruvallur Veerans beat Ruby Kanchi Warriors by 42 runs in its TN Premier League (TNPL) match at the India Cements Limited Ground, Sankarnagar, Tirunelveli, on Monday.

After electing to bat first, the Veerans lost a wicket off the second delivery of the match when Govindaraj nicked M. Prabhu (2 for 42) to the keeper. Aparajith, at one down, struck two fours straight down the ground even as N. S. Chaturved was happy playing the second fiddle.

Aparajith (91) looked unstoppable as he brought up his half-century with a six over mid-wicket. He put on 100 runs in 59 balls with Chaturved as the Warriors ran out of ideas.

After bringing up his half-century off 31 balls, Chaturved (53) got out while trying to hit an inside-out shot. He managed to hit the ball to Sharukh Khan at long-off. Soon after, Aparajith fell after being foxed by A. Prathiban. He was stumped by Warriors wicketkeeper Nilesh Subramanian. The duo added 145 runs in 86 deliveries, which is the highest partnership in this league.

After the platform was set, fireworks from Sanjay Yadav (24) and Malolan Rangarajan (27 not out) ensured the Veerans posted the highest score in the tournament.

The Warriors got off to a flying start with Bharath Shankar (26) donning the role of the aggressor. Going strongly at 8.5 runs per over, Warriors lost the wicket of Bharath, courtesy a direct hit from Abhishek Tanwar.

Veerans would have had another, but the wicketkeeper Govindaraj made a mess of an easy stumping Nilesh Subramanian (38) off Samuel. But soon after, Samuel picked (3/27) both Indrajith and Nilesh in the same over after which the Warriors lost the plot.

With the required run rate crossing the 15-run mark, Shahrukh tried to accelerate in the death overs when R. Rohith picked two wickets off consecutive deliveries. Akkil Srinaath hit few out of the park but it was never going to be enough.

Brief scores: VB Thiruvallur Veerans 206 for 4 (Baba Aparajith 91, 54b, 9x4, 4x6, N. S. Chaturved 53, 34b, 3x4, 3x6, Murthy Prabhu 2/42, Akkil Srinaath 1/23) beat Ruby Kanchi Warriors 164 for 9 (Nilesh Subramanian 38, 31b, 2x4, 1x6, Bharath Shankar 26, 19b, 2x4, 2x6, R Rohit 3/24, Samuel 3/27) by 42 runs.