CHENNAI: KB Arun Karthick’s fantastic 57-ball 106 wasn’t enough as Madurai Panthers went down to Nellai Royal Kings by 26 runs in their TNPL-6 clash in Dindigul on Tuesday. Chasing Nellai’s target of 210, Arun single-handedly kept Madurai in the hunt right till the last over with his fluent innings that contained 12 fours and 5 sixes. This was Nellai’s fourth successive win in the tournament. For the winners, Sanjay Yadav shone with his 42-ball 70 that powered Nellai to 209-3 in the first half of play.
A 200-plus total to chase needed Madurai to have a strong start. However, they slipped to 30 for 2 by the fourth over. Arun kept Nellai at bay thanks to partnerships of 54 and 49 with skipper NS Chaturved (27) and J Kousik (21) respectively. Despite wickets falling at the other end, Arun soldiered on before he was dismissed in the third ball of the final over. NS Harish (3-30) and K Easwaran (2-31) were the pick of the bowlers for Nellai.
Earlier, an unbeaten 100-run stand from just 46 balls for the fourth wicket between Sanjay Yadav and B Indrajith (34) helped Nellai notch up a 200-plus total. The two got together in the 14th over with the team total reading 109-3. Sanjay was at his aggressive best as his 42-ball innings was studded with 4 fours and 6 sixes. Indrajith, on the other hand, played the supporting role to perfection in his 18-ball essay that contained 6 fours.
Opener Sri Neranjan set the tone for Nellai’s innings with a 27-ball 47 that had three fours and five sixes. Sri Neranjan and Baba Aparajith (34) added 39 for the second wicket before the former departed. Aparajith then stitched a 35-run stand for the third wicket with Sanjay before being dismissed. From thereon, the Sanjay-Indrajith pair took over to help Nellai finish on a high.
Brief scores: Nellai Royal Kings 209-3 in 20 overs (Sanjay Yadav 70 n.o., B Indrajith 34 n.o.). Madurai Panthers 183-8 in 20 overs (KB Arun Karthick 106; Harish 3-30). Nellai won by 26 runs
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