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Hold onto your hats, cricket fanatics! The eighth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2024 has roared to life with a jaw-dropping opener. The defending champs, Lyca Kovai Kings, have proven why they wear the crown, snatching a stunning victory from the Chepauk Super Gillies in a match that zigzagged more than a lightning bolt! But buckle up, because this rollercoaster is just getting started! We're diving headfirst into a scintillating double-header on Saturday, July 6th. First, watch the sparks fly as the Dindigul Dragons lock horns with the Trichy Grand Cholas at 3.15 pm IST (0945 GMT). Then, brace for impact as the Salem Spartans clash with the Siechem Madurai Panthers in a thrilling showdown at 7.15 pm IST (1345 GMT). As always, do join us with the pre-match build-up. Till then, take care, and cheers!

Victorious Lyca Kovai Kings captain, Shahrukh Khan, says that at the toss, he felt that 141 was definitely below par and 160 would have been a par score. But lauds his team for a fine fight with the ball. On his own bowling, Shahrukh smiles and just shrugs it off, saying that he just tries to keep it wicket to wicket. On Jhatavedh Subramanyan's bowling, Khan says that since last season, Jhatavedh Subramanyan has been crucial in the middle overs and been improving in leaps and bounds.

Who is your Player Of The Match? Balasubramaniam Sachin, for his 63? Or Jhatavedh Subramanyan for his 1/11 in 4? The mystery will be unravelled in a minute or so. Or maybe, Shahrukh Khan, for excellent captaincy? It is BALASUBRAMANIAM SACHIN, for his terrific knock on a difficult pitch. Okay, finally we come to know that it was Sachin who was helped off the field. Says that it was just cramps and nothing serious. On his knock, Sachin says that the wicket was difficult to bat on, hence wanted to bat all the 20 overs. On his chat with U Mukilesh during their partnership, Balasubramaniam says that the discussion was to take the singles and twos on offer and keep the risky shots to bed till the 14th over. Credits Shahrukh Khan for keeping a calm dressing room.

Chepauk Super Gillies' skipper, BABA APARAJITH, says that they should have definitely chased this score down, given that it was below par. Feels that his side could have restricted Lyca Kovai Kings to 135 or below but does not want to give any excuses for not chasing this down. Adds that the pitch got difficult to bat on with the ball getting older. On the possible improvements for the next match, Aparajith reflects on the need to score more boundaries in the middle overs and rotate strike more efficiently.

The presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, Chepauk Super Gillies came hard on the defending champs and restricted them to a below-par total, unleashing the full benefit of the track which was slightly on the slower side. Abhishek Tanwar, with his wealth of experience, ran through the batting of LKK with a spectacular 4-fer. He didn't allow the opposition batters to play with freedom as the others supported brilliantly. With 142 to chase, came handy contributions from Baba Aparajith and Pradosh Rajan Paul, but their journey to the target wasn't without hiccups. The spin trio of LKK  - M. Siddharth, Jhatavedh Subramanyan and skipper Shahrukh Khan himself - really choked them up in the end, and hence, that was the difference.

Lyca Kovai Kings, despite an uncharacteristically low total, managed an early breakthrough. However, they couldn't capitalize during the powerplay against CSG's seasoned pair. M Mohammed eventually dismissed Jagadeesan, and Shahrukh Khan removed Aparajith in his first over, swinging the match back in LKK's favor. With very minimal dew at the helm, both spinners and pacers found success, particularly Jhatavedh Subramanyan, who outwitted Daryl Ferrario and finished up with sensational figures, conceding only 11 runs in his quota of 4 overs with a scalp as well. Although LKK allowed the last recognized batting pair to form a partnership, they effectively prevented boundaries, with Valliappan Yudheeswaran and Shahrukh Khan applying pressure in the mid overs. M. Siddharth too valiantly cramped the batters for runs conceding barely any boundaries. M Mohammed then cleanly wrapped up and helped his team win the curtain-raiser.

Chepauk Super Gillies encountered an early setback when their impact player, Santhosh Kumar D, fell for a silver duck in the opening over. However, the experienced duo of Baba Aparajith and Narayan Jagadeesan steadied the innings for a bit with a composed partnership. Narayan Jagadeesan adopted a cautious approach, while Baba Aparajith took the lead, with Jagadeesan efficiently rotating the strike. The momentum shifted when both batters were dismissed in quick succession, followed by Daryl Ferrario's reckless dismissal. Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Jitendra Kumar CH attempted to rebuild with a run-a-ball partnership but struggled to find crucial boundaries, causing the required rate to inflate dramatically. Pradosh Ranjal Paul, although scored the most runs, hardly timed any delivery and was just trying too hard and went off the field eventually retiring out on 40. Abhishek Tanwar muscled a six in the end but that was all for them as they fell short by 13 runs in the end.

The dream run continues for LKK as they register their 8th win on the trot. Shahrukh Khan has marshaled his troops with a fantastic fightback, successfully defending a modest total. At one point, after the innings break, Lyca Kovai Kings must have felt they were short by 15-20 runs but their bowlers, especially the spin trio, really packed a punch in the end and made the difference.

Another play and a miss! Slower ball, Sathish has another hoick, only to miss and LYCA KOVAI KINGS WIN BY 13 RUNS! Their 8th win on the trot!

Terrific bowling. Yorker length, down the leg side, Sathish looks to slog but misses and the ball goes between his legs to the keeper.

Not out, as expected. A length ball, down the leg side, Tanwar looked to pull but missed and was hit on the pads. The ball deflected towards point and M Mohammed appealed for LBW. That never really looked out to the naked eye, but Shahrukh Khan wanted to slow things down perhaps, given the nerves it had caused in the last few minutes. Comfortably missing the bat and also the leg stump. Leg bye signalled.

A delayed call for DRS. Whether this is out or not, LKK should win this match. But Shahrukh wants some last-minute drama, just to give some breathing space to his bowler.

It doesn't. The match seems to be gone in fact. Another slower delivery, hitting the deck, causing the ball to stick, Rajagopal Sathish can only heave it to long on. Another single.

Slower, on middle, heaved down to long on for just a run. 16 needed from 4. The next one needs to go.

Outside off, punched down to long on for a single.

Wow. One ball and all of a sudden, we get the feeling that CSG are back in this. 18 needed from the final over. Will it be Kannan or Shahrukh? It is pace but neither of the two. M Mohammed to finish things off. 2-0-20-1 so far.