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K Deeban Lingesh produced a remarkable start for the VIDA Kovai Kings in Qualifier 2 of the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2026, taking three wickets from the first three balls of Trichy Grand Cholas' chase. The right-arm pacer removed K Rajkumar, S Shyam Sundar and Jagatheesan Kousik in consecutive deliveries to complete a hat-trick.
The stunning opening spell came after the Kovai Kings posted 183/5 in their 20 overs at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Trichy Grand Cholas were bowled out for 99 in 15.4 overs, handing Kovai Kings an 84-run victory and a place in the TNPL final. Deeban finished with figures of 3/14 from four overs.
Watch: K Deeban Lingesh takes hat-trick with first three balls of TNPL innings
𝗛𝗔𝗧-𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗢! Deeban Lingesh becomes the first bowler to take a hat-trick in the Shriram Capital TNPL 2026! 🎩
— TNPL (@TNPremierLeague) August 26, 2026
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K Deeban Lingesh needed only three deliveries to put Trichy Grand Cholas under immediate pressure. K Rajkumar was the first to depart when he edged the opening delivery behind the stumps, where wicketkeeper Suresh Lokeshwar completed the catch.
Shyam Sundar then faced the second ball and was caught at slip by B Sachin after attempting to drive a delivery that moved away from him. With two wickets in two balls, K Deeban Lingesh had a hat-trick opportunity.
Jagatheesan Kousik walked out to face the third delivery, but K Deeban Lingesh completed the job. The bowler sent down a good-length ball that jagged back into the batter and went through the gap between his bat and pad before hitting the stumps.
Kousik's dismissal completed K Deeban Lingesh's hat-trick with the first three deliveries of the innings. It also left Trichy Grand Cholas three wickets down without a run on the scoreboard.
Vida Kovai Kings crush Trichy Grand Cholas in TNPL 2026 Qualifier 2
The Kovai Kings had already established a strong position with the bat before K Deeban Lingesh's sensational start. Suresh Lokeshwar top-scored with 66 off 44 balls, hitting eight fours and a six, while S Radhakrishnan contributed 48 from 34 deliveries.
M Shahrukh Khan then provided the late acceleration with an unbeaten 34 off just 18 balls, including three fours and two sixes. The combined efforts helped Kovai Kings reach 183/5 in their 20 overs.
Trichy struggled to build any meaningful partnership during the chase. Suresh Kumar was their top scorer with 48 from 27 balls, but wickets kept falling at the other end.
Deeban was not the only Kovai bowler to make an impact. R Divakar claimed two wickets, while Manimaran Siddharth, who bowled four overs for just 11 runs, also contributed 4 wickets. Trichy eventually folded for 99 in 15.4 overs.
The result sent Kovai Kings through to the summit clash, while Trichy Grand Cholas' campaign came to an end.
Pretty happy at the end of the day - Shahrukh Khan
Kovai Kings captain Shahrukh Khan credited his team's experience of playing knockout matches and praised the way his side handled the pressure after the win. He said:
"Pretty happy at the end of the day. We have been playing knockout games for the last 4-5 games. They are used to the pressure. They know they have to keep it simple. We are well-prepared for the knockout games. Just have to keep things simple."
Shahrukh Khan also reflected on his 34-run contribution with the bat and the significance of playing at Chepauk. He stated:
"Obviously, playing at Chepauk is an amazing feeling. We have been brought up here. So many camps and matches have happened here. Whenever you come here, you wish to score some runs. Very very happy."
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