Tamil Nadu Premier League: Anirudha and Shajahan win Karaikudi Kaalai's victory at TNPL | Cricket News

CHENNAI: Reigning champions Chepauk Super Gillies all let themselves go after suffering their third defeat in as many games of the third edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). At the MA Chidambaram Stadium here Saturday, they went down to Karaikudi Kaalai with a total margin of 47 points. As a result, Chepauk will likely have to win each of his last four games to have a valid chance to qualify for the playoffs.

Karaikudi, on the other hand, can grow a huge sigh of relief after scoring his second win of the season. The only reason to worry for them will be the fact that skipper S Anirudha seems to be suffering from a calf injury that prevented him from taking the pitch in the second half of the match.

Karaikudi's victory was largely due to the efforts of Anirudha (56, 28 balls, 4×4, 4×6) in the first 10 overs and the shajahan M's (43 out, 20 balls, 2x4s, 4x6s) in the last overs. They ensured that their team reached 193/5 of their 20 overs before limiting Chepauk to 146/6.

In the early days of Karaikudi, it was Anirudha. The opener provided the early boost to his side, taking advantage of field restrictions and the real rebound offered at Chepauk. In the space of one second, he beat the legend Murugan Ashwin – the best Chepauk bowler on paper – for four and six.

Even though Anirudha's first partner, V Aditya, remained unobtrusive, Karaikudi reached 52/0 in the first six overruns, with Anirudha contributing 41 points. While Aditya's tough stay finally ended with 10 out of 19 balls, Anirudha continued to fetch her shots despite not being comfortable.

Shortly afterwards, however, Anirudha reached its half-century with only 25 balls while making a bowling tour of B Arun. A six over the midwicket limit followed, but he went for one too and was taken brilliantly by Ashwin at the long close.

While Anirudha's dismissal in the ninth stopped Karaikudi's momentum for the next three overtaking, Shajahan ensured that they reached an all-out total at the end.

But Shajahan had a chance to escape because he was fired by R Alexander's left arm from the first delivery, but bowling had overstepped. Shajahan then continued to remain undefeated, with his badault generating 43 of only 20 deliveries.

Hunting 194, Chepauk's chances were precipitated fairly quickly due to the loss of wickets early.

Offering only the second delivery of their sleeves, they lost Ganga Sridhar Raju, an opener, to a duck after the southpaw gloved a quick delivery from the experienced Yo Mahesh to the Wicket goalkeeper. Skipper Hari Gopinath and U Sasidev gave hope for a moment by setting up a partnership of 55 teams for the third wicket. Sasidev then struck a straight line to Aditya at the deep end to signal the end of the stand.

When Gopinath also fell to 47 in the 13th rank, it was practically the last nail in the coffin, as it left too much room for the lower order of the Super Gillies.

Brief results: Karaikudi Kaalai 193/5 in 20 overs (S Anirudha 56, M Shajahan 43 not released). Chepauk Super Gillies 146/6 in 20 overs (H Gopinath 47). Karaikudi won by 47 points.