Match Center

Wednesday's teams have no such luxury. Third-placed Chepauk Super Gillies will meet against fourth-placed Dindigul Dragons in the Eliminator, with the loser bowing out of the competition. Both, Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator will start at 7.15 pm IST (1345 GMT) but our build-up will begin well in advance. Remember, the winner on Tuesday gets a direct entry into the final as well. So do join us early. In the meanwhile, cricket takes a backseat for a while but the Olympics is already up and running. Those following the Major League Cricket will be excited for the final on early Monday morning, Indian Standard Time, as it will be Steven Smith vs Pat Cummins in the final! Do check that out and keep surfing the tabs for more matches. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Right then. 28 matches are done and we are down to the last 4 teams and last 4 matches remaining. As Tiruppur skipper, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore wished last night in the post-match presentation, the two others teams in the top four would do a favour on his team by losing on Sunday, it has happened and remarkably, out of nowhere, IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, placed second, will meet the ever-consistent Lyca Kovai Kings in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, 30th of July, 2024. The significance of Qualifier 1 is that the loser gets two bites of the cherry as a loss does not eliminate them and gives them a chance in Qualifier 2.

Victorious Nellai Royal Kings captain for the day, AJITESH G HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Says that he is feeling very happy to win his very first game as a captain. On the point of staying till the end, Ajitesh admits that, stating the reason that in the previous games, Nellai were guilty of set batters not finishing the game. On the season gone by, Ajitesh feels that they won from nowhere in the first two games but then lost as well, in the next two, from winning positions. States that those are the learnings for Nellai in the next season. On asked whether he would prefer to be the full-time captain, Ajitesh smiles and says that it is the management's call.

Dindigul Dragons skipper, RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN, smiles and says that if he says that 136 was enough, it would be a lie. Details that on this match, at least 160 would have been needed, so calls it a batting failure. On the four run outs in the inning, Ashwin admits that it was the backbone of their failure. On sending Varun Chakaravarthy ahead of him to bat, the skipper details that he was struggling with a niggle, so just wanted some time for recovery. Adds that there aren't many people who have seen Chakaravarthy bat but he can, adds Ashwin. On their next game against Chepauk Super Gillies in the Eliminator and the possible plans, Ashwin says that the only plan is to play well and win.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Something to take away, for Nellai Royal Kings. Their bowlers set up the win. It was a total team effort, with no one bowler playing a superhero sort of part. Figure this out - with 5 wholesale changes, they managed to beat a strong Dindigul unit. That itself is a thing to boast about. Given that they finished on 7 points, they would want to go back to Match number 14 against Siechem Madurai Panthers in Coimbatore. Nellai were 33/2 in the 6th over before rain had the final say, giving them only one point. Given that Madurai finished 7th and Nellai's net run rate was still in the positive, who knows, they could have finished in the top four! Having said that, they lost two close games and a victory in even one of those, would have taken them through. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

Not the best way to enter the playoffs, on the back of a defeat, but Dindigul Dragons would not mind this performance too much. They flopped with the bat, with four run outs derailing them, as barring Shivam Singh, who was good for his 70, his second consecutive 50+ score, only the skipper Ravichandran Ashwin reached double figures. But with the ball, except for the period during the second-wicket stand, Dindigul bowled brilliantly. They almost made 137 look like 157, given the way they bowled. The field settings were excellent and except Subodh Bhati, everyone bowled decently. Once again, Ravichandran Ashwin and Varun Chakaravarthy were the pick of the bowlers but wonder why didn't they ever bowl in tandem. Ashwin was clearly more interested in looking for options for the Eliminator, than try and win the game at hand.

It was at this moment that Ashwin sensed an opportunity. He got the fielders in, started saving the singles and wickets started to fall. Nellai slipped from 71/1 to 76/4 but because of that second-wicket stand, the required run rate was well below 6. That allowed Ajitesh to just hold one end and the likes of Sonu Yadav and NS Harish to play useful cameos.

137 was not a target which would have sent down shivers down the spine of Nellai and they came out firing. They lost Laxmesha Suryaprakash for a duck but the enterprising 52-run stand between Arun Karthik, who chose not to be the skipper for this contest and played as an impact player, and the skipper for the day, Ajitesh G, put the Kings nicely on course. However, Karthik's wicket set the dice rolling and Nellai started to choke.

Nervy, nervy win, but Nellai Royal Kings will take it. Does not make any difference to the qualification scenarios but both sides would have gained something from this game. The Royal Kings end their tough campaign with a win, finishing 5th, with 7 points, just 1 point away from Tiruppur, Chepauk and Dindigul. As far as the Dragons are concerned, Ashwin's innovative captaincy made this an interesting contest for sure.

FOUR! SEALS THE DEAL IN STYLE! Sandeep Warrier serves it on a length and outside off. Ajitesh G fetches it and sends it over covers. With most of the fielders in the inner circle, it is a free run for the ball to race away to the fence for four runs to win the game and end their campaign on a positive note. What a team performance from the Nellai Royal Kings.

FOUR! WHIPPED AWAY! Sandeep Warrier misses his yorker but delivers a low full toss instead. Ajitesh G whips it off his pads and sends it racing away to the deep backward square leg fence for four runs. Just 3 runs needed to win now.

Leg bye! Quick and short over middle. Arunkumar S J tries to pull it but gets hit on the body due to the excessive pace. The batters cross and the umpire signals a leg bye.

Again, full and on middle. Arunkumar S J clips it towards square leg and he sets off for a single. He is sent back by his partner and a direct hit would send him walking back to the dressing room.

Quick and full, right on the toes. Ajitesh G tries to flick it but he gets an inner edge onto his pads. The ball rolls away as the batters run a single.

Who replaces Ashwin now? Should be Warrier. Bhati is also an option, if Ashwin wants to throw him into the fire. It is Sandeep Warrier. 2-0-7-0 so far.

Pitched full, on the pads. Arunkumar S J pats it down safely. A single and a wicket in this over.