TNPL 2022, Kovai Kings v Madurai Panthers: Panthers beat Kings – Report, Scorecard, Man of the Match

This was the second defeat for the Kovai Kings and they were 6th with 0 points, just like the Chepauk Super Gillies and Salem Spartans.

The Panthers now have 4 points and a record of two wins. But it was not as straightforward as the statistics show.

KK vs MP: Scoreboard

Kovai Kings scored 151 runs in 20 overs. Suresh Kumar (46 off 22 balls, 5 fours and 3 sixes) and U Mukhilesh (50 off 38 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) were the main contributors.

But without these two, the batsmen’s regular loss of wickets and almost zero contribution was a real obstacle for them.

R Silambarasan was the main bowler for the Panthers as he took 3 wickets, while he was well supported by Sunny Sandhu and L Kiran Akash, who took two wickets each.

Chasing a target of 152, the Panthers lost wickets at regular intervals. KB Arun Karthik (38 off 33 balls, 6 fours) and J Kaushik (27 off 21 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) played well.

But the real defender of the Panthers was skipper N Sarangan Chaturveda, who hit 75 off 45 balls with four fours and six sixes.

His play helped the Panthers avoid a late wicket haul, which was spearheaded by Kovai skipper M Shahrukh Khan.

Known for his big shots, Shah Rukh was disappointed with just 5 runs for the bat. But for that slip-up, he took 4 wickets for just 14 runs in just 2.5 overs.

This brought Kovai closer, but the Panthers won by two wickets with one ball to spare and tied with table leader Nellai Super Kings with 6 points.