S. Anirudha’s blistering unbeaten knock of 55 (35 balls (2x4, 6x6)) set up a thrilling three-wicket win for Karaikudi Kaalai over VB Thiruvallur Veerans in the India Cements Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) at the NPRCET grounds here on Wednesday.
Needing 168 for a win, Kaaraikudi Kaalai got off to a blazing start, with Vishal Vaidhya on a rampage. He sent Abhishek Tanwar for three fours and a six in his first two overs. S. Anirudha hit a couple of sixes off Rahil Shah as Karaikudi Kaalai raced to 38 for no loss in four overs. Sanjay Yadav broke the half century stand in the sixth over when he had Vishal caught at square leg.
Anirudha watched by his father, former India cricketer K. Srikkanth, continued with his aerial hitting even after the power play. He smashed Lakshmi Narayanan for back to back sixes off successive overs as Karaikudi was 91 for one at the end of ten overs. Captain Badrinath struggled at the other hand before holding out to mid wicket. The big blow came in the form of Anirudha, having to retire hurt due to cramps while going for a quick single with the score reading 94.
Southpaw, M. Shajahan then smashed three sixes and a four of consecutive overs before holding out in the deep as Karaikudi needed 39 of the last five overs. It came down to run a ball with three overs to go after couple of lusty blows from C. Ganapathi. The drama did not end with Ganapathi getting out in the last over with seven needed of five balls. A hobbling Aniruda came back to hit the winning runs with his sixth six. Both teams are at four points from four matches with Thiruvallur Veerans ahead on net run rate.
The scores:
VB Thiruvallur Veerans : 167-7 in 20 overs (N.S.Chaturved 45, Baba Aparajith 39) lost toKaraikudi Kaalai 168-7 in 19.3 overs (S. Anirudha 55 not out, K. Vishal Vaidhya 29, M. Shajahan 28, C. Ganapathi 25).
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