TNPL 4: Ton-up Arun stars in Madurai win

CHENNAI: KB Arun Karthick scored TNPL 4's first hundred to help Siechem Madurai Panthers register a 23-run win over Lyca Kovai Kings at the NPR College ground in Dindigul on Friday. Arun's 61-ball 106 powered Madurai to 195 for 5 in their 20 overs before they restricted Kovai to 172 in the second half of play. Arun's first scoring shot was a four over extra-cover fence in the fifth delivery he faced.Once he gauged the pace of the wicket, Arun was unstoppable. The 33-year-old hit medium-pacer K Vignesh for 16 runs in the fourth over that gave momentum to Madurai's innings. Arun added 42 for the opening wicket with fellow opener A Sarath Raj (20, 3x6) in 3.5 overs. Arun's six four helped him cross the 50-run mark off 30 deliveries.
At the halfway mark, Madurai were 93 for 1, and 62 of the runs had come from Arun's willow. There was no let-up in Arun's intensity as he continued to play his shots despite losing Adhithya Giridhar (14) and R Mithun (1) in the 12th and 14th over respectively. Arun got to his hundred off 56 deliveries with a six over fine-leg fence in the 16th over bowled by medium-pacer Antony Dhas. Arun is this season's leading run-getter with 242 runs from five outings - seven ahead of Dindigul Dragons' N Jagadeesan. Arun's 47-run stand from 27 deliveries for the fourth wicket with J Kousik (43 n.o., 1x4, 4x6) took Madurai to 165 in the 18th over. Kousik's lusty blows in the last two overs ensured Madurai finished with a strong total.
In reply, Kovai needed a strong start to stay in the hunt. Openers M Shahrukh Khan (24, 4x4, 1x6) and B Anirudh (14, 2x4) raised 32 in 3 overs but once they departed, Kovai began to struggle. Skipper Abhinav Mukund (50, 4x4, 1x6) fought hard but couldn't get much support from the other end. An unbeaten 10th wicket stand of 37 between K Vignesh (26 n.o.) and T Natarajan (11 n.o.) saw Kovai finish with 172 for 9 in their 20 overs. For Madurai, N Selva Kumaran (4 for 27) was the standout performer with the ball.
On being consistent in the tournament, Arun said, "I just wanted to keep things simple. It all boils down to keeping your mind clutter-free and trusting your preparations."
Brief scores: Siechem Madurai Panthers 195-5 in 20 overs (Arun Karthick 106). Lyca Kovai Kings 172-9 in 20 overs (Selva Kumaran 4-27). Madurai won by 23 runs.