TNPL 2022 | Lyca Kovai Kings earn their first win of the season against Salem Spartans

The stunning half-century knocks by J Suresh Kumar and S Sai Sudharasan helped Lyca Kovai Kings register a comprehensive eight-wicket win against the Salem Spartans in Match 11 of TNPL 2022 at the Dindigul on Wednesday. 

Chasing a below-par total of 147, Lyca Kovai Kings suffered an early blow with Sridhar Raju departing after playing a knock of 13 runs off as many balls. 

Sai Sudharsan then joined the other opener, and wicket-keeper batter, J Suresh Kumar, at the crease and the duo went on to stitch a match-winning partnership of 111 runs off just 80 balls to help their side chase down the target in just 16.3 overs. 

Kumar whacked 64 runs off 43 balls with the help of three boundaries and four sixes. Sai Sudharsan, on the other hand, amassed 56 runs off 43 deliveries and remained unbeaten. 

His half-century knock was laced with six boundaries and one maximum.  

For Salem Spartans, only skipper Murugan Ashwin and M Ganesh Moorthi could manage to take a wicket each. 

After opting to bowl first, Lyca Kovai Kings thoroughly dominated the proceedings, not allowing the Salem Spartans' batters to chill out in the middle. 

Balu Surya was at his lethal best with his disciplined and economical bowling display, which saw him picking a three-wicket haul while conceding only 14 runs in his quota of 4 overs.

Surya was competently supported by the right-arm quick bowler Abhishek Tanwar, who once again showcased his fiery pace, picking up three wickets while conceding runs at an economy of 9.75 in his quota of 4 overs. 

For Salem Spartans, Hari Gopinath was the only batter who was able to survive in front of high-quality bowling from LKK. The 34-year-old wicket-keeper batter struck 41 runs off just 18 balls, blended with three boundaries and four massive sixes. 

Earlier, Salem Spartans, after being sent to bat first, got off to a disastrous start as they lost two wickets inside in as many overs with the scorecard reading 8/2.  

The Spartans' opening batter Jafar Jamal continued his horror show with the bat as he departed for just 1 run off 11 balls. R Kavin also failed to make an impact and walked back to the dressing room after claiming a two-ball duck.  

Akshay Srinivasan also couldn't make much difference as Balu Surya ended his stay on the crease after a knock of 12. Skipper Murugan Ashwin (31 off 32 balls) and Pranav Kumar (23 off 34) played late, steady knocks to help their side reach a respectable total of 146/9 in the 20 overs.   

Lyca Kovai Kings, with their first win of the season in three matches, moved up in the standings and currently occupy the fourth spot in the points table. Salem Spartans, on the other hand, have lost both the matches they have played so far and presently slumped to the bottom of the points tally. 

Brief Score: 

Salem Spartans: 146/9 (20 Overs) 

Hari Gopinath 41 (18), Pranav Kumar 32 (34)

Balu Surya 3-14 (4), Abhishek Tanwar 3-39 (4)

Lyca Kovai Kings: 149/2 (16.3 overs) 

J Suresh Kumar 64 (43), Sai Sudharsan 56* (43)

Murugan Ashwin 1-26 (4) 

Lyca Kovai Kings won by eight wickets.