TNPL 2022: Nellai Royal Kings won by 5 wickets

CHENNAI: 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)