The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
And so, the curtains come down on the Dindigul leg of the TNPL 2023. The caravan now moves along to Salem after a day's break and we return with a double-header on Saturday. Do join us for our coverage of those contests right here on Sportskeeda while keeping yourselves updated with all the other cricketing news and action from around the world on this very platform. For the moment, this is Sooryanarayanan Sesha taking your leave and thanking you for being a part of this coverage. See you around soon - good night and take care!
Arun Karthik may not have arrived with the bat this tournament but he's a happy captain with his team back to winning ways. The moment he strikes form, you can be rest assured that the Royal Kings will be a dangerous outfit to beat if they aren't already. As for the Spartans, this loss will hurt since they came very close but they certainly are punching above their weight. They can't afford to lose too many of these matches but things are working well overall and they just need to keep backing their plans as they look to bounce back soon.
Arun Karthik (Nellai Royal Kings captain): I was definitely nervous since I got out early. It was a tricky wicket and the ball held in the pitch. Hats off to Salem Spartans - they fought brilliantly with that score. We knew that we were one big over away with two sixes and two fours putting us back in the game. I didn't expect Suryaprakash to play an innings like that. He is my roommate and he batted on a different level. With Nidhish Rajagopal being injured, Sugendhiran got an opportunity and he too delivered with a timely six. (Different players standing up for the team; is it his own turn next time?) I am also looking forward to that. Definitely a big knock is coming.
Abhishek Tanwar (Salem Spartans captain): (Turning point) We changed the ball in the 14th over with the ball getting wet. It was almost like a brand new ball and it skid onto the bat nicely. If you saw today whenever we had momentum, rain stepped in. But our boys still played really well and gave it everything. Very proud of the boys.
Laxmesha Suryaprakash is the Player of the Match for his sensational unbeaten 14-ball 33. Here's what he has to say: I enjoyed it a lot. I didn't expect it at all. It's a new role for me. Thanks to God for this. I got to know last evening that I have two roles - if a wicket falls early I'd go in else I'd be batting at the back-end. I made a note of the field and played accordingly. Thanks to the management for helping me with the preparation.
G Ajitesh (Nellai Royal Kings): (On his knee) I am much better now. The time that I got out, there was a shift in momentum there. But Surya, hats off to him. Such a great player. Rithik and I just wanted to take the game deep. (On Suryaprakash) He's definitely our team's legend. We played well as a unit. No particular reason (for Surya batting down the order). We just left the last game as it was and started this game afresh. We had different plans this time and went about it.
Match Summary: Nellai Royal Kings beat Salem Spartans by 5 wickets (DLS).
The start of the contest was delayed by a little over an hour owing to rain. We had another interruption once 16 overs were sent down in the first innings. Yet, even the weather gods were kind as they hung back to witness an thriller that brings the curtains down on the Natham leg of TNPL 2023. Kaushik Gandhi's half-century and a cameo from Maan Bafna saw the Salem Spartans post 115/4 before the heavens opened up and with DLS coming into play, Nellai Royal Kings were set a target of 129 off 16 overs.
They never got going upfront though with Sri Neranjan swinging like a rusty gate and Arun Karthik departing first ball. G Ajitesh batted like a million dollars again as he returned to number 3 and timed the ball as well as he has all tournament. Neranjan finally broke free but couldn't carry on, before Ajitesh combined forces with Rithik Easwaran to forge a fluent partnership that put the Royal Kings in command of the chase. The asking rate was within reach and with Ajitesh picking out the fence along the off-side at will, it was going to be tough for the bowlers.
An untimely blow to his right knee meant that Ajitesh was then hobbling along. That allowed the Spartans to regroup and wrest control their way as they sent in a string of tight overs which saw the asking rate go up, with Ajitesh's dismissal also not helping the Royal Kings. It seemed as though Sonu Yadav's wicket was the final nail in the coffin with Abhishek Tanwar and Sunny Sandhu executing their yorkers brilliantly but Laxmesha Suryaprakash had other ideas.
He has 'Surya' (sun) and 'Prakash' (light) in his name and he certainly shone bright alright. Batting as a finisher for a change, he played the field brilliantly and tore into Tanwar in the penultimate over to flip the game on its head for good. Eight runs were needed off the last over and P Sugendhiran had a vital six to deliver himself before Suryaprakash duly hit the winning runs to power the Royal Kings to their third win in four matches. Heartbreak for the Spartans who gave it everything on a slippery outfield but alas, it wasn't to be for them!
Laxmesha Suryaprakash, take a bow! This has been some finish indeed and he has pulled off a magnificent chase here for the Royal Kings to see them return to winning ways in this rain-curtailed encounter. The owner is elated and you can see why!
15.4 Akash Sumra to Laxmesha Suryaprakash, NELLAI WIN! What a magnificent finish this has been and it's Suryaprakash who has pulled it off for them. Slower delivery banged into the track at the stumps as it slants in with Suryaprakash attempting a fine pull. Hits him high on the bat before it lobs short of the lunging keeper. It deflects past him in the end as the batters complete the single and wrap up a thrilling victory. Nellai Royal Kings win by 5 wickets with two deliveries to spare!
Fittingly, Suryaprakash has the opportunity to wrap this up now. 1 needed off 3...
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NPR College Ground, Dindigul
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