Eliminator, Salem, July 08, 2023, 07:15 PM

Nellai Royal Kings
211/6(20.0ov)
Siechem Madurai Panthers
207/4(20.0ov)

Nellai Royal Kings beat Siechem Madurai Panthers by 4 runs

Right then, that's all from this game. Nellai have emerged victorious in Eliminator and by doing so, have kept themselves alive in the competition. We will now have a day's break before the playoffs action of the 2023 Tamil Nadu League resumes on Monday, 10th of July, where Nellai will take on Dindigul in Qualifier 2 at the Indian Cement Company Ground in Tirunelveli. The first ball will be bowled at 7.15 pm IST (1.45 pm GMT). As always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!
Nidhish Rajagopal is the Player of the Match for his exceptional knock of 76 runs from 50 balls.
Earlier in the game, after Nellai were inserted into bat, they lost both openers inside the first four overs. But, Ajitesh G did not shy from playing his shots and helped Nellai finish the Powerplay strongly. After his departure in the 11th over, Nidhish Rajagopal took matters into his own hands and put his side in a commanding position. Towards the end, Rithik Easwaran's cameo helped Nellai finish on a high.
In their pursuit of a daunting target of 212 runs, Madurai were put in early trouble after losing skipper Hari Nishaanth. Suresh Lokeshwar and V Aditya then joined hands and got their side off to a flying start. A mix-up between these two led to Suresh Lokeshwar's dismissal but V Aditya stood firm at one end. He was well supported by Swapnil Singh who got going straightaway. With a 98-run stand, Madurai were in the hunt for most parts of the chase. With 12 needed off the last two balls, P Saravanan did get one over the line but could not find the fence on the last ball.
Wow, what a game we have witnessed this evening! They were made to sweat hard but it is Nellai who delivered Madurai the knockout punch! Having finished well with the bat, Nellai took that momentum to their bowling effort and began well with the ball. However, they were unable to keep the pressure and leaked a lot of runs in the Powerplay. They kept conceding boundaries even after the field protection after the Powerplay. However, they pulled things back in the second half to stay in the game. In the final over, S Mohan Prasath held his nerves and saw Nellai home.
In over# 20
1
6
0W
1
6
0
S Mohan Prasath 43/1(4)
19.6
1
1 run, that is lofted away for a single.
19.5
6
Six! Up, up and away! The batter has lofted this clean as a whistle and it has cleared the boundary.
19.4
W
OUT! That is a good running catch. Such catches are never easy to judge and take.
19.3
1
1 run, this is driven through the covers for a single.
19.2
6
Six! That is a lovely shot. The batter has just lofted this with fine timing and cleared the ropes too.
19.1
.
No run. Swing and a miss! The batter swings hard at that one but does not connect.
In over# 19
6
1
1
1
4
1
Sonu Yadav 44/1(4)
18.6
6
Six! Up, up and away! The batter has lofted this clean as a whistle and it has cleared the boundary.
18.5
1
1 run, the batter is on the front foot and has driven this through covers for a run.
18.4
1
1 run, the batter plays the scoop shot for a run.
18.3
1
1 run, that is lofted away for a single.
18.2
4
Four! This is lofted in the air and over the fielder at covers. Bounces into the fence.
18.1
1
1 run, the batter is on the front foot and has driven this through covers for a run.
In over# 18
0
1
1
2
0W
1
M Poiyamozhi 29/1(4)