during match 3 of the fourth edition of TamilNadu Premier league 2019 played between SIECHEM MADURAI PANTHERS (SMP) and TUTI PATRIOTS (TP) held at the NPR College Ground, Dindigul on 20th July 2019
Photo by:R. Parthibhan/Focus Sports/ TNPL
Siechem Madurai Panthers began their title defence with a thumping nine-wicket victory over former champions Tuti Patriots at the NPR College ground here on Saturday.
After their bowlers restricted the 2017 winners to a modest 124-8 in 20 overs, SMP openers KB Arun Karthick and A Sarathraj (33 runs off 21 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) raised 95 runs in 8.4 overs to pave the way for an emphatic victory with almost eight overs to spare.
Captain Karthick led the way with an unbeaten 65 (42 balls, 7 fours and 3 sixes) and set a new league record by scoring the most number of fifties (11). Dindigul Dragons’ Narayanan Jagadeesan is the second in the list with 10 fifties.
Earlier, SMP spinners Rahil Shah (1-16) and R Mithun (3-17) turned in a disciplined display to derail the Tuti Patriots innings. Opener Akshay Srinivasan (55 off 41 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and captain Subramania Siva (28 off 21 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) threatened to take the match away during their blistering second-wicket partnership of 74 runs that came of just 41 balls.
Siva was severe on pacer J Kousik hitting him for 20 runs in his first over and Srinivasan followed suit by meting out a similar treatment to pacer Lokesh Raj in his first over by smashing two sixes.
Once left-arm spinner Ramachandran Mithun had Siva stumped by Nilesh Subramaniam, the Tuti Patriots lost their way. Srinivasan failed to get going at the other end and he was dismissed in a similar manner as his captain. From 79-1 in the 10th over, the Patriots collapsed to 119-8 in the 19th over, losing seven wickets for just 40 runs.
By the time Mithun ended his excellent spell (4-0-17-3), Tuti Patriots were five wickets down.
The 25-year-old spinner credited his captain for his good show. “Arun Karthick gave me the freedom to express myself. He told me to be ready for any pressure situation. They have given me a brilliant atmosphere in the dressing room. I was under pressure in the first season but this year I have become more relaxed. I’m happy that I could execute what I had to, for my team,” he said.
Fast bowler Kiran Akash heightened their woes with a double strike in his third over dismissing R Karthikeyan (4) and Vasanth Sarvanan (11) within the space of four balls. The 23-year-old claimed Ganesh Moorthi to finish with impressive figures of 4-0-16-3.
Tuti Patriots opener Srinivasan felt he should have stayed longer to help the side post a bigger total. “We started well and were in a good position by the eighth over but I think wickets fell at the wrong time. It means nothing scoring 50 plus score which doesn’t help the team. I have to take responsibility as I got out at a crucial time and I should have carried till at least the 16th or 17th over,” he said after the match. “We also didn’t execute our bowling plans well,” he added.
Siechem Madurai Panthers travel to India Cements Limited- Sankar Nagar ground, Tirunelveli for their next match against Dindigul Dragons on Monday (July 22) while Tuti Patriots take on Lyca Kovai Kings at the NPR College ground on Thursday (July 25).
Brief scores:Tuti Patriots 124-8 in 20 overs (Akshay Srinivasan 55, Subramania Siva 28; Kiran Akash 3-16, R Mithun 3-17) lost to Siechem Madurai Panthers 128-1 in 12.2 overs (KB Arun Karthick 65 not out, A Sarathraj 33; Vasanth Saravanan 1-17) by nine wickets.
Toss:Tuti Patriots; chose to bat first
Debutants:Shubham Mehta, M Sathya Raj, R Karthikeyan, S Boopalan (all TP)
Points:Tuti Patriots 0, Siechem Madurai Patriots 2.
Match Awards
Sankar Cement Man of the Match: Arun Karthick (SMP)
Sankar Cement Maximum 6s: Arun Karthick (SMP) and Akshay Srinivasan (TP)
TCM-Nippon Paint Atom Best All-rounder: Nilesh Subramaniam (SMP)
SNJ VSOP Adhiradhi Four: Arun Karthick (SMP)
BKT Tyres Commander of the Match: Arun Karthick (SMP)
Sprite Juicy+ Refreshing Player: A Sarathraj (SMP)
TVS Most Valuable Player of the Match: R Mithun (SMP)
Sharon Ply Strong Performer of the Match: Akshay Srinivasan (TP)
