Pacers fashion Grand Cholas' win against Madurai Panthers
A bruised SMP staggered its way to 131 for seven from 29 for five, courtesy of Atheeq Ur Rahman (30) and C. Sarath Kumar (37 n.o.).
Left-armer Athisayaraj and Saravana Kumar broke SMP's spirit with a two-wicket burst each.
Opener and left-hander B. Anirudh Sita Ram (7) was caught down the leg side, and Ajay Chetan (duck) edged a fuller, outside-off Test-match delivery to first slip - both back-to-back in the second over off Athisayaraj.
Saravana Kumar had opener Ram Arvindh (14) miscue a pull off a shorter delivery to deep midwicket, and M. Ashwin (duck) caught at second slip off an outside-off Test-match delivery that pitched on a good length - both back-to-back in the sixth over.
Easwaran had captain N.S. Chaturved (4) nick a short-of-length delivery to the keeper in the third over, and a set Atheeq caught at long on in the 15th over.
But it wasn't a straightforward chase for TGC. Medium-pacer Gowtham Thamarai Kannan (two for 16) and leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan (2/24) had it in a spot of bother on 77 for five, but R. Rajkumar (37 n.o., 15b, 1x4, 4x6) ensured that his team got home. Skipper and opener J. Suresh Kumar top-scored with 44 (36b, 7x4).
The scores: Siechem Madurai Panthers 131/7 in 20 overs (Atheeq Ur Rahman 30, Sarath Kumar 37 n.o., K. Easwaran 2/19, Athisayaraj Davidson 2/33, Saravana Kumar 2/27) lost to Trichy Grand Cholas 137/6 in 18.1 overs (Suresh Kumar 44, R. Rajkumar 37 n.o., Gowtham Thamarai Kannan 2/16, Karthik Meiyappan 2/24). Toss: Grand Cholas.
Thursday's match: Nellai Royal Kings vs Dindigul Dragons (7.15 p.m.).
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