TNPL 2018: Thangarasu Natarajan Delivers Big in Thrilling One-over Eliminator

The fifth match of the Tamil Nadu Premier League’s (TNPL 2018) edition third turned out to be one of the best matches of the tournament so far.

In a thrilling encounter of 40 overs from both sides collectively, a tie ensued and the game was decided following a one-over eliminator.

A brief look:

In an epic match between Karaikudi Kaalai and Lyca Kovai Kings, Kaalai came to bat first. They managed to score a moderate total of 162 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.

Maan Bafna scored much-needed 44 off 22 balls and was well supported by V Aditya, who got 36 off 28 deliveries.

In reply to this total, openers of Kovai Kings Abhinav Mukund and Shahrukh Khan provided an opening partnership of 62.

Venkataraman with 34 was the other top scorer from the chasing team. A punitive bowling display from S Mohan Prasath, Yo Mahesh, and R Rajkumar added the woes what seemed to be an easy target for the Kovai Kings.

Clash in the final over:

In the final over, S Swaminathan was the bowler to bowling the last over with 10 runs to give away. He bowled a dramatic over which included two wickets, a boundary, a dot, single, a double and two wides deliveries as well.

Super over:

In the super over, Kings batted first and they managed to score 14 runs in the over. In reply to it, Natarajan bowled the super over from the opposite side. He just leaked nine runs and won the game for his team.

Mukund, the skipper of Kings was chosen as Man of the Match for the league fixture of TNPL 2018.

Here is what he said,

“I was satisfied, wanted to take it to the end and finish it for my team; but that didn’t happen. It is about using the conditions well and it is important that I play to my strengths and use my experience well,” he said.

 

“Ashwin played his part to perfection, but we messed it up in the end. Natarajan has been exceptional and is one of the best death bowlers going around in the country at the moment. We gave away a lot of runs in the middle-overs. And we should have finished it off before the super over.