Nidhish’s unbeaten half-century helps Nellai Royal Kings seal a three-wicket win

Nellai Royal Kings pulled off a thrilling victory, defeating Chepauk Super Gillies by three wickets in the fourth match of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024 in Salem.

After being asked to bat first, the Chepauk Super Gillies openers Santhosh Kumar and Narayan Jagadeesan contributed 58 runs together before Santhosh Kumar was dismissed for a brisk 41 off 29 balls in the 7th over by Mohan Prasath. Following his departure, Baba Aparajith added a quick 24 off 18 balls, while debutant Andre Siddarth contributed 17 runs off as many balls.

Narayan Jagadeesan anchored the innings, reaching his 19th TNPL fifty and remaining unbeaten on 63 runs. In the final two overs, Chepauk Super Gillies added 23 runs to finish their innings at 166 for six wickets.

Nellai Royal Kings bowlers were consistent throughout the innings. R Silambarasan led the attack with three wickets, while Mohan Prasath and Sonu Yadav grabbed one apiece.

Chasing a target of 167 for victory, the runners-up from last season quickly reached 72 runs within six overs. Mokit Hariharan and G Ajitesh (30 off 14 balls) capitalized on the powerplay, forming a 48-run partnership for the 2nd wicket.

Hariharan achieved his maiden half-century of TNPL 2024, scoring 52 runs off 38 balls, before being dismissed by Daryl S Ferrario. Ferrario's subsequent dismissal of Sonu Yadav shifted momentum in favour of the four-time champions.

Nellai Royal Kings' Kirubakar, who entered as the impact player, was retired out after struggling to get going. With Nellai Royal Kings needing 20 runs off the final over, the pressure was on last season's runners-up. 

“I had the confidence that we would win if I could take the game deep. Also, Mokit Hariharan's innings helped us to win the match,” Nidish Rajgopal said after the win. 

However, Nidhish Rajagopal turned the game around for the team by scoring two sixes and two fours in the final over, securing the victory with a ball to spare. The experienced campaigner remained unbeaten at 35-ball 53, handing a second straight loss to Chepauk Super Gillies. 

Brief Scores:

Nellai Royal Kings 168/7 in 19.5 overs (Nidish Rajgopal 53, RS Mokit Hariharan 52; Daryl Ferrario 3/32) beat Chepauk Super Gillies 166/6 (N Jagadeesan 63, D Santosh Kumar 41; Silambarasan 3/31) by three wickets

Player of the Match: Nidhish Rajgopal

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