Nellai earns second successive win
Nellai Royal Kings made it two victories in as many matches by beating Salem Spartans in the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2022 in Tirunelveli on Saturday.
After securing a convincing five-wicket win, Nellai moved to the top of the table with the maximum four points. Electing to bowl, Royal Kings restricted Spartans to 149 for seven despite a 91-run third-wicket partnership between wicketkeeper R Kavin (48 off 37 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and Daryl Ferrario (60 not out off 49 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes).
Chasing 150 for its second successive win in TNPL 6, Nellai sailed past the line with 2.2 overs to spare. NRK No.6 batter G Ajitesh smashed a match-winning, unbeaten 48 off just 25 deliveries, a knock which included five maximums and a four.
“The team backed me a lot. I just tried to live up to my potential. Skipper Baba Indrajith supported me and guided me on how to pace the innings. I just performed my role for the team,” said Ajitesh, who was adjudged the ‘Player of the match’.
In the first essay, Salem was in a spot of bother at 30 for two in the third over after losing its opening batters. But, the experienced duo of Kavin and Daryl rose to the occasion with a near-century partnership before the former was undone by left-arm spinner NS Harish (2/30). While wickets kept tumbling at the other end, Daryl remained unbeaten on 60.
In the chase, opener L Suryapprakash (35 off 27 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) and Baba Aparajith (32 off 25 balls, 3 fours) made 30+ contributions before Ajitesh delivered a breathtaking performance. Salem had a glimmer of a hope when it restricted Nellai to 84 for four in the 11th over, but Ajitesh dashed it with his six-hitting spree.
Jitendra Kumar (10 not out off 6 balls, 1 four, 1 six), who gave company to Ajitesh at the end, finished the match in style with a maximum off leggie Murugan Ashwin.
BRIEF SCORES: Salem Spartans 149/7 in 20 overs (Daryl Ferrario 60*, R Kavin 48, Athisayaraj Davidson 2/28, NS Harish 2/30) lost to Nellai Royal Kings 152/5 in 17.4 overs (G Ajitesh 48*, G Kishoor 2/40)