MATCH REPORT
Follow UsMadurai Panthers defeated Chepauk Super Gillies by nine runs in their final league game of Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024 to sign off the season on a high. Madurai Panthers showcased a stronger batting performance than in previous matches. The openers contributed 77 runs, with Suresh Lokeshwar leading the charge with 55 off 40 balls. Captain Hari Nishaanth supported him well, scoring 37 from 28 balls.
The middle order then capitalised on the solid start, with Jagatheesan Kousik remaining unbeaten on 43 off 24 balls, while Saravanan and Chaturved chipped in with 25 from 13 balls and 26* from 14 balls, respectively. For Chepauk, Baba Aparajith was the standout bowler, taking 1/23 from his four overs. Abhishek Tanwar, Aswin Crist, and Silambarasan each contributed with one wicket.
While chasing 193 for victory, Chepauk lost Narayan Jagadeesan and Baba Aparajith after small but impactful innings. Santhosh Kumar steadied the chase with a crucial 48 off 36 balls, forming a pivotal 78-run partnership for the third wicket with Pradosh Ranjan Paul, who contributed 52 off 37 balls.
However, after the partnership was broken, Madurai made a comeback with quick wickets, largely thanks to Karthick Manikandan's spell of 3/23. Ajay Krishna capitalized on the momentum to dismiss Abhishek Tanwar, increasing the pressure on the former champions. Chepauk Super Gillies required 16 runs off the final over with three wickets in hand.
However, Gurjapneet Singh remained composed and guided Madurai to a nine-run victory in their final league match. With this defeat, the Super Gillies have missed out on a top-two finish and will now play the Eliminator in the playoffs. Madurai finish the season in the seventh spot.
Chepauk Captain Aparajith said, "We lost wickets during the middle overs. If someone had batted through to the end, we might have won. We knew we needed a win to secure a top-two spot and were prepared for it. As long as we are playing good cricket, we are ready to face any team in the Eliminator.
Player of the Match, Lokeshwar, said, "I am pleased to score a half-century in a winning cause. This has been my role throughout the tournament, and I am happy to have delivered back-to-back half-centuries."
Reflecting on the win, Madurai Panthers Captain Hari Nishaanth, said, "I am glad to finish the season with a victory. Although we didn’t make it to the playoffs, our team played well throughout. I wish everyone the best for the upcoming season and all the best for the remaining teams. Lokeshwar was outstanding today. We could have won a few more matches if our batters, including myself, had stepped up."
After the loss, Chepauk Super Gillies Abhishek Tanwar said: We have to play the Eliminator now, but this will not change our approach. We remain focused and will give our best effort to qualify for the final. Siechem Madurai Panthers all-rounder M Ashwin said: I am pleased to end the season with a win. While we had several individual highlights, we struggled to perform consistently as a team. We’ll return stronger next season.
Brief scores:
Madhurai Panthers 191/4 in 20 overs (Suresh Lokeshwar 55, Jagatheesan Koushik 43*; Aswin Crist 1/21) beat Chepauk Super Gillies (182/8 in 20 overs (Pradosh Ranjan Paul 52, Santhosh Kumar 48; Karthick Manikandan 3/23) by 9 runs
Player of the Match: Suresh Lokeshwar
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