Published: Sep 10, 2016, 10:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 10, 2016, 10:59 PM (IST)
In Match 22 of Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2016, VB Thiruvallur Veerans (VTV) locked horns against Lyca Kovai Kings (LKK) wherein VTV got the better of LKK by two runs in the decisive over of the match. Winning the toss, VTV elected to bat. VTV’s innings was full of ups and downs as their openers got off to a good start but LKK came back in the middle-overs to instill a comeback. Baba Aparajith’s captain innings ensured his side got to a healthy total but VTV won the match courtesy a tight bowling from their bowlers even though LKK fought hard till the last ball of the match. ALSO READ: Match report: CSG defeat MSG by 55 runs to enter playoffs
VTV who have had an inconsistent run in TNPL 2016 came out to bat first. Their openers looked in good touch as VTV were cruising at 41 for no loss at the end of five overs. Rain also played a part in the first innings as it caused an interruption for a brief period. This helped the fielding side as they came back hard and slowed down things in the middle.
Hari Nishanth, R Kavin and NS Chaturved departed early after starts as LKK clawed back into the game. From 5th overs to 15th overs, only 49 runs were made with VTV losing four wickets in the middle. Things looked awry for the fourth ranked team but Aparajith ensured the pendulum shifted in his side’s favour by the end of 20 overs. Aparajith stitched an unbeaten 63 runs off 24 balls for the seventh wicket with Ramalingam Rohit to take his team to 170-run mark.
It was raining sixes during the death overs as Aparajith held his end beautifully. M Mohammed, B Arun and JS Mohammad were economical but S Harish Kumar and JS Mohammad were taken to the cleaners by VTV’s Aparajith.
In reply, LKK started the chase slowly. They were never allowed to get off to a flier but on the contrary, always had wickets in hand to go for the runs later in the innings. VTV applied pressure and never allowed the LKK to get past the required run-rate. The third highest run-scorer of the league and a consistent performer for LKK, B Anirudh Sitaram, got them to a good platform from where they could consolidate in the end overs.
Sitaram looked in course to bail his team out and take them past the finish line. Sitaram’s departure in the 16th over opened the floodgates for VTV’s win. Kumar again proved to play a vital knock for his side with a handy 46 runs. A cameo from M Mohammed was not enough as Rahil Shah, Rohit Ramalingam and Lakshmi Narayanan’s two wickets apiece helped their side earn crucial points in the business end of the league stages.
In the final over, 13 runs were required off the last over but Shah held his nerves to give the upper hand to his side. Both teams played with a lot of purpose but in the end, VTV won the match courtesy Aparajith’s stunning knock of 74 runs. Aparajith’s innings proved to be the difference between the two teams who looked inseparable till the 39th over of the match. Aparajith’s 74 was the turning point in the match and for his performance he was adjudged Man of the Match.
With this win, VTV are in the third spot of the points table whereas LKK are still in the first half of the table standing in the fourth position. Chepauk Super Gillies (CSG) are at the first spot with four wins and have confirmed their place in the knockouts. Dindigul Dragons (DDD) are at the second spot with four wins and one loss in five games. An interesting few matches awaits in the last few matches of TNPL 2016 group stages.
Brief scores:
VB Thiruvallur Veerans 170 for 6 (R Kavin 31, Baba Aparajith 74; S Harish Kumar 2 for 49) beat Lyca Kovai Kings 168 for 6 (B Anirudh Sitaram 63, S Harish Kumar 46; Rahil Shah 2 for 32, Lakshmi Narayanan 2 for 33) by 2 runs.
