Kovai Kings win to stay in the hunt for TNPL-4 playoffs

CHENNAI: Lyca Kovai Kings scored a 15-run win over iDream Karaikudi Kaalai to stay in the hunt for a place in the TNPL-4 playoffs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. This was Kovai's third win from 6 outings in the tournament and it takes them to 6 points. Kovai and VB Kanchi Veerans have the same number of points but the latter are on the fourth spot thanks to a superior run-rate.The wicket, which was re-laid after the conclusion of IPL season this year, proved to be on the slower side. Openers - M Shahrukh Khan (59, 6x4, 2x6) and skipper Abhinav Mukund (32, 3x4) - laid the foundation for Kovai to score 154 for 7 in their 20 overs. Kovai's bowlers defended the total with offie R Malolan (2-10), medium-pacer Antony Dhas (2-26) and left-arm pacer T Natarajan (1-17) leading the way.Chasing 155, Karaikudi needed their most experienced hand --- skipper S Anirudha (24, 2x4, 1x6) --- to make a significant contribution. Anirudha got off to a start but was clean-bowled by S Ajith Ram (1-17) in the 8th over. Kovai's bowlers kept a tight leash on the batsmen and despite an entertaining 46-run stand for the seventh wicket by R Rajkumar (13, 16) and M Shahjahan (41 n.o., 3x4, 2x6), they could only manage to score 139 for 7 in their quota of 20 overs.Earlier, a short spell of rain delayed the start by 15 minutes. Abhinav and Shahrukh added 84 in 10.5 overs to give a sturdy start for Kovai. While Abhinav was slow to get off the blocks, Shahrukh was his fluent self. Shahrukh, who hit his first fifty of the season, began his innings with a six over mid-wicket fence in the opening over. If Shahrukh hit 17 off the first 10 balls he faced which included two fours and a six, the next 10 saw him go at a run-a-ball. In the company of Abhinav, Shahrukh raised the 50-run stand for the opening wicket in 7.2 overs. If the first 10 overs belonged to Kovai who were 76 for no loss, Karaikudi made a brilliant comeback in the next 10. A misunderstanding in the middle saw Abhinav being run out in the 11th over. Karaikudi soon dismissed Adnan Khan (2) and Akkil Srinaath (12, 1x6) in quick successions as Kovai were 107 for 3 in the 14th over. Shahrukh, who looked good for a big score, played his first false stroke and was caught at long-on position by Yo Mahesh in the 15th over bowled by Sunil Sam (1-22).Shahrukh's dismissal slowed down the proceedings for Kovai before R Malolan's (11 n.o., 1x4, 1x6) lusty hits in the final over saw them finish with a 150-plus total. Shahrukh rued the fact that he couldn't go on to make a big score despite getting his eye in. "The wicket was on the slower side but I paced my innings well. But, it's a bad feeling to have got a start and then giving it away. But we knew a total of 150 was a very good total on this wicket," Shahrukh said.Brief scores: Lyca Kovai Kings 154-7 in 20 overs (M Shahrukh Khan 59, Abhinav Mukund 32; Rajkumar 2-38, Sunil Sam 1-22). iDream Karaikudi Kaalai 139-7 in 20 overs (M Shajahan 41 n.o., Malolan 2-10, Antony Dhas 2-26). Kovai won by 15 runs.