Chepauk Super Gillies scripted a comfortable six-wicket win over VB Thiruvallur Veerans in the India Cements-TNPL at the ICL ground here on Monday.
Chasing 127, Gillies lost X. Thalaivan Sargunam early. But, K.H. Gopinath (54 not out, 55b, 4x4, 1x6), the other opener, and S. Karthik (42, 35b, 7x4) kept the scoreboard ticking without taking too many risks as Gillies scored 41 for one in the PowerPlay overs.
The two went on to add 74 off 60 balls before their stand was broken when Abhishek Tanwar dismissed Karthik in the 13th over. Gopinath, who notched-up his half-century off 49 balls, continued the good work as Gillies knocked off the required runs with nine balls to spare.
Poor start
Earlier, Veerans, electing to bat, lost C. Hari Nishaanth in the first over when R. Sathish took a fine catch off his own bowling. N.S. Chaturved (35, 22b, 4x4, 1x6) and skipper B. Aparajith, who walked in at No. 3, ensured a steady flow of runs, adding 40 off 27 balls before wicketkeeper S. Karthik took a sharp catch off Sathish to dismiss Aparajith.
After Veerans made 48 for two in PowerPlay, Sathish had Chaturved caught and bowled in the next over. S. Siddharth and R. Sanjay Yadav fell in quick succession as Veerans was reduced to 55 for five after nine overs.
Malolan Rangarajan (27, 28b, 2x4, 1x6) and R. Rajan steadied the ship, forging a 36-run stand for the sixth wicket. However, R. Sai Kishore put paid to Veerans’ hopes of a late assault by accounting for both batsmen.
It was Abhishek Tanwar’s lusty blows in the final overs that took Veerans to 126, a total that proved inadequate.
The scores:
VB Thiruvallur Veerans 126 for seven in 20 oves (N.S. Chaturved 35, Malolan Rangarajan 27, Abhishek Tanwar 25 n.o., R. Sathish three for 17) lost to Chepauk Super Gillies 129 for four in 18.3 overs (K.H. Gopinath 54 n.o., S. Karthik 42).
