Chepauk Super Gillies stormed into the playoffs with a commanding six-wicket victory over SKM Salem Spartans in the final league match of the Salem-leg of the TNPL at the Salem Cricket Foundation Ground on Thursday. Super Gillies rode on fluent half-centuries by opener K. Aashiq and the ever-reliable N. Jagadeesan to make it five out of five while Spartans stayed in the second spot with six points from five games.
Aashiq and Mokit Hariharan came out all guns blazing , punishing both pace and spin with a flurry of boundaries, to set the tone in pursuit of the 161-run target.
Aashiq was particularly severe on M. Poiyamozhi, striking two fours and a towering six while Mokit took the attack to Harish Kumar, clearing the ropes twice as Super Gillies raced to 71 without loss at the end of the PowerPlay.
Just as the openers were cruising, Mokit dragged one on to the stumps off Hari Nishaanth. Jagadeesan joined Aashiq and immediately found his rhythm. The duo added 52 runs before Karthick Manikandan dismissed Aashiq.
Jagadeesan fell after a 25-ball 50 before skipper B. Aparajith sealed the win with a huge six.
Earlier, Spartans openers S. Abishiek and Hari Nishaanth took the team to 63 without loss in eight overs. However, it soon slumped to 95 for five. Left-arm spinner
M. Silambarasan dismissed Nishaanth while pacer J. Prem Kumar removed Nidhish Rajagopal. Prem later castled both R. Vivek and Abishiek.
R. Kavin was run out with Mokit effecting a direct hit. However, A late flourish from Sunny Sandhu (30, 18b, 1×4, 2×6) and M. Mohammed (28 n.o., 11b, 3×4, 2×6) lifted Spartans to 160 which was not enough.
The scores: SKM Salem Spartans 160/7 in 20 overs (Hari Nishaanth 31, S. Abishiek 47, Sunny Sandhu 30, J. Prem Kumar 3/19) lost to Chepauk Super Gillies 162/4 in 16.3 overs (K. Aashiq 56, Mokit Hariharan 32, N. Jagadeesan 50). Toss: Super Gillies.
Next match: At Tirunelveli (Saturday): Nellai Royal Kings vs Lyca Kovai Kings (7.15 p.m.).
Published – June 19, 2025 11:33 pm IST