Vida Kovai Kings ruled the roost in its first step towards recapturing the Tamil Nadu Premier League crown while the SKM Salem side fought like anything but the Spartans in the 34-run loss at the NPR College Ground here on Thursday.
Key Factors
His 85-run second-wicket partnership with Abhinav Kannan put Kovai on course for what was a winning score. Kavin was in no position and edged one to slip, Abishiek picked out the backward-point fielder with precision and Hari Nishaanth looked lost. Deeban rocked the top-order as the first three batters – R. Kavin, skipper S. Abishiek and C. Hari Nishaanth (dismissed in that order) – were guilty of being tentative with their shot-making. Once Salem was reeling at eight for four in the fourth over, there was no way back. The southpaw, who had smashed a century in his previous outing against Spartans, once again disrupted the bowlers’ plans with an array of delightful strokes.
Earlier, Sachin sent another reminder of his growing potential in white-ball cricket.
