TNPL 3: Aushik helps Kanchi defend 116

CHENNAI: VB Kanchi Veerans scored their maiden win in TNPL 3 as they defended 116 and beat Lyca Kovai Kings by 14 runs in a low-scoring clash at the IC Ground in Tirunelveli on Sunday evening. Kanchi's show-stoppers were left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas (3-12) and medium-pacer R Divakar (2-16).
Kanchi kept the pressure right through the contest and delivered the sucker punch in the end overs.With 32 needed off the last three, Aushik gave just 6 in the 18th over and got rid of Ashwin Venkataraman (35, 3x4) - stumped by keeper Chandrasekar. Ashwin, the top-scorer in Kovai's line-up, held the innings together with his 37-ball knock. When Divakar came to bowl the penultimate over, Kovai were 26 away from the target. Divakar gave away just 2 runs and managed to have Ajith Ram run out and clean up K Vignesh that more or less decided the contest in Kanchi's favour. With 24 needed off the final 6 deliveries, leg-spinner Manigandan (1-21) kept his cool and ensured Kanchi had the last laugh.
The first half of play saw Kanchi fail to put up a decent total on board as they ended on 116 for 8 in 20 overs. Only three of their batsmen - skipper B Aparajith (41 n.o., 2x4, 2x6), opener S Arun (29, 3x4, 1x6) and Deeban Lingesh (16, 1x4, 1x6) -managed to get to double-digits as they struggled to get their innings going. Aparajith stayed unbeaten but couldn't accelerate
Each of the bowler used by skipper Abhinav Mukund returned with wickets. While Ajith led the show, he was ably supported by fellow spinners - S Manigandan (1-21) and P Rajesh (1-23). The pacers T Natarajan (1-9), K Vignesh (1-29) and Antony Dhas (1-15) too were on the mark.
Brief scores: VB Kanchi Veerans 116 for 8 in 20 overs (B Aparajith 41 n.o., Ajith Ram 3-16). Lyca Kovai Kings 102 for 9 in 20 overs (V Ashwin 35; Aushik 3-12, Divakar 2-16). Kanchi won by 14 runs