Nellai Royal Kings Snatch Thrilling TNPL Victory from Chepauk Super Gillies

In a thrilling encounter at the Salem Cricket Foundation ground, Nellai Royal Kings emerged victorious over Chepauk Super Gillies in the eighth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). With just three wickets and a ball to spare, Nellai Royal Kings chased down a challenging target of 167, thanks to a valiant effort from left-hander Nidhish Rajagopal.

Rajagopal's unbeaten 53 off 35 deliveries proved to be the match-winner. His innings included three fours and three sixes, with the final over proving to be a nail-biting affair. Aswin Crist, the Chepauk Super Gillies medium-pacer, bowled a series of slower balls, but Rajagopal dispatched them with ease, hitting a straight four, two sixes, and a four to seal the victory.

Nellai Royal Kings' chase was set up by opener Mokit Hariharan's 52 off 38 balls, which included five fours and a six. G. Ajitesh also contributed with a quickfire 30 off 14 deliveries, including four fours and a six.

Earlier, Chepauk Super Gillies had posted a competitive 166 for six, thanks to opener N. Jagadeesan's unbeaten 63 off 46 balls. Jagadeesan, known for his aggressive batting, played a more measured innings, hitting three fours and three sixes.

In the second match of the day, Lyca Kovai Kings defeated iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans by a narrow margin of one run. M. Shahrukh Khan was the star for Kovai Kings, scoring a blistering 55 off 32 balls, including four fours and four sixes.

Tushar Raheja's adhesive knock of 81 off 57 balls held Tiruppur Tamizhans' innings together, but his dismissal in the penultimate over proved costly. With six runs needed off four balls, Raheja holed out to long off, leaving Ajith Ram to face the final delivery. Ram edged the ball to third man for a four, but missed the last ball and set off for a single, only to be run out by the keeper.

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