Cricket

In the eighth season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Siechem Madurai Panthers emerged victorious over Chepauk Super Gillies by a margin of nine runs at the N.P.R. College cricket ground. The Panthers' triumph denied the Gillies a chance to finish second on the points table and qualify for the playoffs.Lokeshwar, the Panthers' opener, set the tone for the match with a blistering 55 runs off 40 deliveries, including two fours and five sixes. His aggressive batting in the PowerPlay overs, particularly against left-arm spinner Rahil Shah, proved crucial.J. Kousik, batting at number four, played a vital role in the Panthers' innings, scoring an unbeaten 43 runs off 24 balls. His two sixes in the penultimate over helped boost the team's total to 191 for four.In response, Chepauk Super Gillies' Pradosh Ranjan Paul kept his team in the hunt with a well-paced 52 runs off 37 deliveries. He was involved in a 78-run third-wicket partnership with opener D. Santhosh Kumar (48).However, the Panthers' bowlers tightened their grip in the latter stages of the chase. Two wickets fell in three balls, with Arun Karthick being dismissed leg before and Nidhish Rajagopal being caught at cover.R. Ashwin, the former India off-spinner, played a key role in the Panthers' victory, claiming two wickets for 23 runs. His dismissal of Rithik Easwaran with a quicker delivery proved to be a turning point.In the second match of the day, Shivam Singh's 59-ball 70 helped Dindigul Dragons post 136 runs. Nellai Royal Kings, in pursuit of the target, were led by Arun Karthick's 45 runs and G. Ajitesh's unbeaten 43.However, the Dragons' spinners, led by P. Vignesh and R. Ashwin, pegged Nellai back. Vignesh dismissed Arun Karthick leg before, while Ashwin claimed two wickets, including that of Ajitesh.Nellai Royal Kings eventually fell short by four wickets, with Varun Chakaravarthy claiming two wickets for 15 runs. The loss also ended Dindigul Dragons' hopes of finishing second on the points table and qualifying for the playoffs.