Match 3, Coimbatore, June 07, 2025, 07:15 PM
Trichy Grand Cholas
157/8(20.0ov)
Nellai Royal Kings
162/5(19.2ov)
Nellai Royal Kings beat Trichy Grand Cholas by 5 wickets
Right then, that is it from Match number 3 of the 2025 TNPL, but there's plenty of action still left in this opening Coimbatore leg of the competition. Next up, it is a double-header Sunday coming your way on the 8th of June. It will be Siechem Madurai Panthers taking on SKM Salem Spartans to kick things off and that game will begin at 3.15 pm IST (9.45 am GMT), followed by a clash between Tamil Nadu Premier League, 2025, IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans and Dindigul Dragons at 7.15 pm IST (1.45 pm GMT). However, you can join us a lot sooner for the build-up as well. Cheers!
NS Harish has been adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round effort with the ball and then a match-winning knock towards the end.
The Presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Trichy Grand Cholas were put into bat by Arun Karthik, and as we have seen so far, the team batting first struggled in the Powerplay. After losing a couple of wickets, Waseem Ahmed and Jafar Jamal led the fightback for Trichy, but both got out just when they were reaching their full hitting potential, and in the end, it was a fine cameo from R Rajkumar that got them over the 150-run mark. As for Nellai, Emmanuel Cherian bowled a lovely spell up top, and the others played their part too, but it was Sonu Yadav who stole the limelight with a brilliant hat-trick in the final over.
A solid fightback from Trichy Grand Cholas, but they simply didn't have enough runs on the board. The highly-rated duo of Athisayaraj Davidson and Saravana Kumar went for plenty of boundaries in the Powerplay and didn't get a wicket either. The introduction of spin proved to be crucial, and U Mukilesh bowled a dream spell as he picked up wickets whenever the team required it the most. However, the others failed to build on it and Trichy were handed a defeat in their opening game of the season.
A nail-biting affair in Coimbatore, but it is Nellai Royal Kings who get the better of Trichy Grand Cholas in the end and open their account in the 2025 edition of the TNPL. Needing 158 for the win, Nellai were expected to breeze through the chase, as that has been the norm in the first couple of matches of the season. And, they began brilliantly with skipper Arun Karthik taking on the opposition bowlers and pummeling them all across the ground. The Impact sub, Santhosh Kumar D, too looked good, but once Karthik got out, things went down the slope, and Santhosh too fell after holding fort for a few overs. It was then a fine knock from NS Harish that took Nellai over the line, with Sonu Yadav adding the finishing touches with that six to clinch the game.
In over# 20
6
0
Sanjay Yadav 21/1(3.2)
19.2
6
SIX! GAME, SET, AND MATCH! Nellai Royal Kings win this game by five wickets, with four balls to spare! Tossed it up and around off, Sonu Yadav comes forward a bit and tonks it down the ground over the bowler's head for a biggie to seal the match for them.
19.1
.
Nagging length and around off, Sonu Yadav pushes it back to the bowler.
In over# 19
1
0
1
6
1
0
R Rajkumar 22/0(3)
18.6
1
Lands it fuller and on the pads, Yadav goes on his knees and nudges it to deep mid-wicket for one. They need just 2 off the final over!
18.5
.
Excellent review! Full and drifting down the leg side, Sonu Yadav crouches, watches carefully and doesn't offer any shot at it. The umpire gives it a wide, but Trichy challenge it and send it upstairs. The third umpire sees the replays, and it would have hit the front pad or just have clipped it if Sonu hadn't moved across a bit. The on-field umpire has to change his decision and give this one a fair delivery.
18.4
1
Bowls it full and around middle, Harish flicks it to wide long on for one more. Just 3 needed now.
18.3
6
SIX! That shall seal the game for Nellai! Over-pitched, around off, NS Harish gently comes forward and launches it down the ground for a biggie. Also, 150 is up for Nellai, and they need just 4 now.
18.2
1
A low full toss, around off, Sonu Yadav bends his bac, crouches and plays it with horizontal bat to long on for a single.
18.1
.
Much fuller and around off, Sonu Yadav just manages to drill it back to the bowler, who stops it on his follow-through.
In over# 18
1
1
4
2
1
0W
U Mukilesh 23/3(4)
17.6
1
Tempting length and around off, Sonu Yadav goes on his knees and sweeps it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for one. Nellai Royal Kings need just 11 off the last two!
17.5
1
Another full toss, around off, Harish drills it past the bowler for one.