CHENNAI: Siechem
Madurai
Panthers made the TNPL-3 playoffs after scripting a four-wicket win over
Karaikudi
Kaalai at the NPR College ground in
Dindigul
on Tuesday. The architect of Madurai's win was opener
Arun Karthick (85 n.o., 10x4, 2x6) who rose to the occasion and helped his side cross the finish line. Arun paced his innings to perfection, and never allowed a single bowler to settle. A steer down the third man fence got Arun going. Arun's 50-ball blitz had shots on all parts of the ground. He got ample support from Shijit Chandran (38, 2x4, 2x6) as they added 63 for the fifth wicket in 43 deliveries to put Madurai on course. When Shijit departed in the 15th over, Madurai were placed at 119 for 5. From thereon, J Kousik (9, 1x6) and Abhishek Tanwar (11 n.o., 5x4, 2x6) played their parts as Madurai finished the clash in 18.2 overs.
Madurai didn't have the best of starts as they slipped to 56 for 4 in the 7th over. The game was in the balance when Shijit joined Arun and their partnership changed the course of the clash. For the losing side, medium-pacer Yo Mahesh (2-33) was the best of the lot.
Earlier, - on a slowish track - Karaikudi finished on 158 from their 20 overs thanks to their skipper S Anirudha (48, 3x4, 3x6) who kept them going till the 15th over. Anirudha, dropped by Rohit when on 0, made good use of that reprieve. Despite finding it tough to time the ball, Anirudha kept Karaikudu's scoreboard ticking. Once he was dismissed with scoreboard reading 104/4, Karaikudi saw R Srinivasan (23, 2x4) and R Rajkumar (20, 1x4, 2x6) chip with useful contributions as they crossed the 150-run mark.
For Madurai, offie Varun (2 for 16) was the pick of the lot as Karaikudi's batsmen failed to read him. Right from the time he was introduced (in the 5th over), Varun troubled the batters. Varun was well-supported by medium-pacers Abhishek Tanwar (2 for 37), Kiran Akash (2 for 37) and J Kousik (2 for 36). Varun and Abhishek - who gave away just 13 runs in the last 2 overs - ensured Madurai finished on a high.
Brief scores: Karaikudi Kaalai 158 in 20 overs (S Anirudha 48; Abhishek 2-37, Varun 2-16, Kousik 2-36, Kiran 2-37). Madurai Panthers 162 for 6 in 18.2 overs (Arun Karthick 85 n.o., Shijit Chandran 38; Yo Mahesh 2-33). Madurai won by 4 wickets