Right then, that's all from this game. Don't go anywhere as we have one more game coming up on this Super Sunday where Trichy will lock horns with Chepauk. The first ball will be bowled at 7.15 pm IST (1.45 pm GMT). You can switch tabs and join us for the build-up. See you there!
Kovai skipper Shahrukh Khan is the Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
Earlier in the game, after Madurai won the toss and opted to bowl first, Kovai were rocked early, losing S Sujay in the first over. Suresh Kumar and Sachin B got together and laid a solid foundation with both batters notching up their fifties. Coming in at number 5, Kovai skipper Shahrukh Khan led from the front with a quickfire knock of 53 runs from just 23 balls to propel his side over 200. While other Madurai bowlers were taken to the cleaners, Gurjapneet Singh stood out for them with figures of 2 for 30 from his four overs.
In pursuit of 209, Madurai were dealt an early blow in the form of Washington Sundar. Suresh Lokeshwar and Hari Nishaanth joined forces and got Madurai off to a solid start. At 97-2, Madurai were cruising along in the chase but once Jagatheesan Kousik departed, it all went downhill for Madurai. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could not recover from those blows. In no time, they were rolled over for 164 runs and were handed a tough defeat by Kovai. Despite this loss, Madurai are still in contention of making it to the playoffs of 2023 Tamil Nadu League.
Kovai have registered a comprehensive victory in their last league game! With this win, they have strengthened their position at the top of the standings. Having finished on a high with the bat, Kovai were unable to start well with the ball, conceding 57 runs in the Powerplay. However, with more protection after the first six overs, the Kovai bowlers kept the runs in check. They clawed their back in the game in the second half and never allowed the opposition batters to settle in. Manimaran Siddharth was the star of the show with figures of 3 for 32 from his four overs.
In over# 18
0W
1
4
0
0
0W
1wd
Valliappan Yudheeswaran 16/2(2)
17.6
W
OUT! That is a simple catch to the fielder.
17.5
1
1 run, the batter goes back in his crease and guides it through third man for a single.
17.4
4
Four! That is a boundary. The batter flicks this with great timing and finds the fence.
17.3
.
No run. Play and a miss! The batter wasn't quite sure how to play that one.
17.2
.
No run. Play and a miss! The batter wasn't quite sure how to play that one.
17.1
W
OUT! Caught behind! That has gone straight into the gloves of the keeper.
17.1
1wd
Wide! The batter looks to play that but is comprehensively beaten.
In over# 17
0W
6
0W
4
1wd
4
1
Manimaran Siddharth 32/3(4)
16.6
W
OUT! BOWLED! That has gone through the batsman’s defense.
16.5
6
Six! Up, up and away! The batter has lofted this clean as a whistle and it has cleared the boundary.
16.4
W
OUT! BOWLED! That has gone through the batsman’s defense.
16.3
4
Four! This is lofted in the air and over the fielder at covers. Bounces into the fence.
16.3
1wd
Wide! The batter looks to play that but is comprehensively beaten.