Vida Kovai Kings made short work of Chepauk Super Gillies on Tuesday, winning the first TNPL-10 fixture at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium by five wickets.

The Kovai outfit was always in control of the contest, apart from when Ram Arvindh (63, 32b, 7×4, 4×6) and Swapnil Singh (20, 19b, 2×4) were going strong in an 80-run stand for the fourth wicket.

However, CSG lost wickets in a cluster on either side of the partnership, getting bowled out for 167 in 19.3 overs.

The Kovai Kings top-order of S. Radhakrishnan (38, 18b, 3×4, 3×6), S. Lokeshwar (40, 39b, 3×4), and B. Sachin (37, 23b, 5×4, 1×6) ensured the target was surmounted in 18.5 overs.

VKK losing three wickets for 13 runs in the middle overs only dented the margin of victory as skipper

Shahrukh Khan came up with a cameo.
| Photo Credit:
R. RAGU

Earlier, after being asked to bat, CSG had a six-less PowerPlay (48 for three). While skipper N. Jagadeesan and Mokit Hariharan departed after playing rash shots to M. Siddharth (two for 24) and R. Divakar, K. Aashiq ran himself out after G. Kishoor moved quickly from mid-off to effect a direct hit. Just as Ram Arvindh started to up the ante, Siddharth castled the Impact Player to peg back CSG (101 for four in 10.3 overs).

If not for No. 8 Dinesh Raj’s cameo (32, 18b, 3×4, 2×6), the CSG innings would have cut a sorry figure as R.S. Ambrish (three for 22) chipped away at the wickets.

The VKK willow-wielders took care of the rest.

The scores: Chepauk Super Gillies 167 in 19.3 overs (Ram Arvindh (Impact Player) 63, Dinesh Raj 32, M. Siddharth 2/24, R.S. Ambrish 3/22) lost to Vida Kovai Kings 168/5 in 18.5 overs (S. Radhakrishnan 38, S. Lokeshwar 40, B. Sachin 37) .

Wednesday’s match: Dindigul Dragons vs. Trichy Grand Cholas, 7.30 p.m.