TNPL 2023: Kovai posts comfortable win over Salem

CHENNAI: Table-topper Lyca Kovai Kings registered a comprehensive 79-run win over Salem Spartans in the lop-sided Tamil Nadu Premier League 2023 match at the Salem Foundation Ground in Salem on Tuesday.

The Shahrukh Khan-led Kovai has 10 points from six matches while Salem, which suffered its fourth defeat of the season, is seventh with two points off five games. Invited to bat first, Kings posted a superb score of 199 for eight, thanks to a collective effort from the batting unit.

No.6 Ram Arvindh (50 not out off 22 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes) was the standout batter and was later adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’ while S Sujay (44 off 32 balls, 6 fours) and the in-form B Sai Sudharsan (41 off 28 balls, 6 fours) fired at the top of the order. Opener Sujay and No.3 Sai Sudharsan stitched 75 runs for the second-wicket alliance to put Kovai on the front foot.

In the second essay, Salem was never in the contest, losing half of its team for 44 in the eighth over. It was eventually bowled out for 120 in the 19th over. Pacer K Gowtham Thamarai Kannan (3/20 off 3 overs) impressed once again while off-spinner Shahrukh (2/29 off 4 overs) scalped two wickets.

BRIEF SCORES: Lyca Kovai Kings 199/8 in 20 overs (Ram Arvindh 50*, S Sujay 44, B Sai Sudharsan 41, Sunny Sandhu 3/38) bt Salem Spartans 120 in 19 overs (K Gowtham Thamarai Kannan 3/20)