Guile and bravery propelled Chepauk Super Gillies past middle-order jitters to its maiden TNPL title against defending champion, Albert Tuti Patriots.
In front of 20,678 people, the Hemang Badani-coached side rode on V. Sarvanan’s penultimate over heroics and H. Gopinath’s half-century to cross the line in a rain interrupted encounter.
Chasing 144, Saravanan (23 n.o.), smashed two consecutive sixes and one four off Washington Sundar to seal the game with an over to spare. He was ably supported by skipper R. Sathish, who remained unbeaten on 23.
The momentum, however, was set by an opening partnership of 46 runs between X. Thalaivan Sargunam (16) and Gopinath (50).
Patriots stutter
Earlier, Albert Tuti Patriots won the toss and elected to bat. Washington Sundar and Kaushik Gandhi opened the innings for the Dinesh Karthik-led team.
The in-form Washington Sundar was grassed by Antony Dhas off the second ball of the match, but failed to capitalise on the reprieve and was out caught at long-on. Kaushik (24) soon followed suit, edging one to wicketkeeper S Karthik.
India stalwarts - Dinesh Karthik (17) and Abhinav Mukund (41) - then tried to steady the rocking ship before the latter sent one off Arun Kumar into the hands of Gillies’ captain R. Sathish at long-on. Karthik didn't trouble the scorers either, becoming Kumar's second victim.
S. P. Nathan (16) tried to up the ante, but the Patriots ultimately settled for a modest 143 at the end of its 20 overs.
Brief scores:
Albert Tuti Patriots 143 for 8 in 20 overs (Abhinav Mukund 41, Kaushik Gandhi 24; R. Sai Kishore 2 for 25, V. Arun Kumar 2 for 29) lost to Chepauk Super Gillies (H. Gopinath 50, V. Sarvanan 23n.o., R. Sathish 23 n.o.; V. Athisayaraj Davidson 2 for 30) by six wickets.
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