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So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentator, Abhishek as we wrap up the coverage of this fixture. Do switch stay tuned to Sportskeeda and join us for a lot of cricketing action including the exciting fourth day of the 3rd Ashes Test. There is also ECS cricket, so there is no shortage of cricketing action. See ya!
Arun Karthik (Nellai Royal Kings captain): Ate at 1.00 pm, am hungry (Laughs). Hats off to the curator, he has provided an extraordinary pitch. After getting Hari Nishanth's wicket, thought it was an easy win but they fought back superbly. The way Sonu Yadav and Poiyamozhi bowled, that brought us back into the game. During the pre-season camp, we worked personally with Mohan Prasath to bowl that final over at the death.
C Hari Nishanth (Siechem Madurai Panthers captain): We conceded a little too extra, there was dew in the end overs too. But if we bowled a few good balls during the death overs, it would have been good. Felt like if we restricted them to 180-185, it would have been good. During the innings break, just told the team that the opposite dug-out or owner's sofa shouldn't be calm. I didn't have a great season with the bat. Loki (Suresh Lokeshwar) was a great find this season. Maybe, if we got good starts together, that would have been good.
Nidhish Rajagopal (Player of the Match): My grandfather passed away last November. He is the one who helped me come to this level in cricket. Ajitesh was batting very well, so I was just focusing on giving the strike to him. We were actually blank, just wanted to react to the ball
MATCH OVER!
Nellai Royal Kings won by four runs!
Nellai Royal Kings 211-6 (20) Siechem Madurai Panthers 207-4 (20)
V Aaditya 73 (50) | Swapnil Singh 48 (30)
M Poiyamozhi 4-0-29-1 | S Mohan Prasath 4-0-43-1
What a thrilling win for Nellai Royal Kings as they advance to the Qualifier 2 against Dindigul Dragons. The game twisted and turned on many occasions but Nellai held their nerve to come up trumps in the end. Just like Nellai did, Madurai also lost their skipper Hari Nishanth early on in the Powerplay. However, Suresh Lokeshwar batted aggressively to dominate the Powerplay while V Aaditya gave him good company.
Just as the partnership was looking ominous, Lokeshwar got run-out in the eighth over. Thereafter, Aaditya was joined by Swapnil Singh to put on a sensational 98-run partnership. Swapnil struggled initially but he soon started to hit out as the Nellai bowlers were put under immense pressure. The Nellai fielders didn't help the bowlers either with both Aaditya and Swapnil getting a chance each. It seemed like Madurai got ahead in the contest as they required 44 runs off the last four overs.
Yet, Sonu Yadav bowled a cracking 17th over in which he conceded just six runs as Nellai got some hope again. M Poiyamozhi strengthened his team's position by getting rid of Aaditya. But Madurai weren't to give up as J Kousik and Swapnil combined to take 14 runs off the penultimate over. This meant that Madurai required 19 off the final over and Arun Karthik tossed the ball to Mohan Prasath. The left-arm spinner was put under pressure as Kousik struck a six off the second ball but he got rid of Swapnil a couple of balls later and pulled things back nicely.
20
overs
207/4score
0
6
1
W
6
1
runs
P Saravanan*
7(2)
Jagatheesan Kousik
16(9)
S Mohan Prasath
1/43
19.6 S Mohan Prasath to P Saravanan, NELLAI WIN BY FOUR RUNS! A loopy full toss on off, it was meant to be hit. But, Saravanan miscues it towards the extra cover region. Only a single given. Mohan Prasath has done it for Nellai.
Twist after twist, drama after drama. What a stunning strike from P Saravanan. Madurai need 6 off 1 ball now
19.5 S Mohan Prasath to P Saravanan, SIX! ONE MORE NEEDED TO WIN! A full toss on off, clears his front leg and powers it towards the onrushing long off fielder.
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SCF Cricket Ground, Salem
P Saravanan
*
S Mohan Prasath
Video
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