Ram Arvindh and Chaturved sizzle as Panthers take down Kovai Kings

Ram Arvindh’s knock of 64 was instrumental in Madurai Panthers putting it across Lyca Kovai Kings in a TNPL match in Coimbatore on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY

R. Ram Arvindh’s well-crafted 64 (48b, 4×4, 3×6) and a quickfire cameo from skipper N. S. 
Chaturved (46 n.o., 23b, 4×4, 3×6) helped Siechem Madurai Panthers beat Lyca Kovai Kings by seven wickets in the final league game of the Coimbatore leg of the TNPL-9 at the Sri Ramakrishna College here on Wednesday.

Pursuing 170, openers Ram and B. Anirudh Sita Ram (37) showed that batters could score at a brisk pace while playing conventional shots and gave their side a solid start. The duo displayed positive intent while minimising risk during their 88-run alliance.

Ram showed great range, sweeping and late-cutting M. Shahrukh Khan for a six and four. He then lofted N. 
Kabilan and walked down to flick the pacer through the leg-side majestically. Later, skipper Chaturved came out guns blazing, smashing Jhatavedh Subramanyan for two sixes and a four in the 13th over and got the job done.

Earlier, for the second match in succession, the Kovai Kings’ batters failed, and it was left to skipper Shahrukh to save his outfit from the blemish with an entertaining unbeaten 77 (44b, 8×4, 4×6) that took the team to 169 for five.

Asked to bat, Kings started well, getting to 55 for one in the PowerPlay, but the Panthers’ spinners pulled back, picking up wickets in regular intervals to reduce the home side to 107 for five.

Shahrukh was at his flamboyant best, striking cleanly, but lacked support from his teammates. He gave the final flourish, smashing pacer S. Surya Anand for consecutive sixes in the 19th and finished the innings with a hat-trick of fours off Gurjapneet Singh.

However, it was not enough for the Kings to avoid a second straight defeat in their backyard.

The scores: Lyca Kovai Kings 169/5 in 20 overs (M. Shahrukh Khan 77 n.o.) lost to Siechem Madurai Panthers 171/3 in 17.5 overs (R. Ram Arvindh 64, B. Anirudh Sita Ram 37, N.S. Chaturved 46 n.o.). Toss: Panthers.

Next match: At Salem (June 13): Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs SKM Salem Spartans (7.15 p.m.).