Lucknow: Tamil Nadu started their title defense at the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament with a 12-run victory over Maharashtra in the elite ‘A’ match on Thursday.
Maharashtra fell short despite blistering blows by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who hammered 51 out of 30 balls with eight four and six to finish at 155 for six in 20 overs for four.
Hander right stylish, which is in the main form for Chennai Super Kings in IPL’s recent victory, continues in the same vein before his departure in he.
Gaikwad made a Tamil Nadu attack look pedestrian and slap R Sai Kishore who is usually economical for three straight boundaries on it.
Along with Yash Nahar, he applied the 55th Maharashtra at the end of the sixth.
Leggie M Ashwin (2/18) broke the partnership by dismissing Nahar, was caught behind by jagousesan for 17.
Veterans Kedar Jadhav helped Gaikwad add 24 runs to the second goal and Maharashtra seemed to challenge the rigid target.
But Ashwin trapped Gaikwad’s foot – previously to uphold the opposition back before Sai Kishore sent Jadhav to 13 and Maharashtra progress.
Maharashtra remained in the hunt, thanks to some Gutsi’s efforts by NS Shaik (22), RR Nikam (20, 17 balls, 1×6) but could not cross the line when TN Bowlers held the company with Sandeep Warrier only futures in the final.
Medium-Pacer t natarajan, again in action after injury, finished with one for 38 of four overs.
Previously sent to Bat, Tamil Nadu began well with C opening Nishaanth (27, 3x4s, 1×6) and n jagousesan (30, 2x4s, 1×6) wearing 50 for the first goal.
However, it was still young B Sai Sudarshan (35, 19 balls, 5x4s), which gave a urge that was very much needed with an aggressive beats before captain Vijay Shankar ensured a strong final result with a strong 21-ball (5x4s, 1×6).
Tamil coach Nadu M Venkataramana said it was a good victory and the batsmen managed well after being sent to Bat.
“In the second half, Ruturaj took the match from us.
A good comeback in the field by our bowlers.
M Ashwin Bincul is good to get two goals and make us a breakthrough,” he told PTI reflecting the team’s performance.
Short score: Tamil Nadu 167 for 4 in 20 Overs (Vijay Shankar 42, B Sai Sudarshan 35, N Jagousesan 30, SS Bachhav 2/35) Beat Maharashtra 155 for 6 in 20 Overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 51, NS Shaikh 33, M Ashwin 2/18) with 12 Run.
TN: 4 points, Maharashtra: 0.
Exit, Gurkeanerat Singh Mann 24 did not come out) by eight goals.
Punjab: 4 points, PUDUCHERRY: 0.Goa 104 for 8 in 20 overs (Shubam Ranjane 32, Jayanta Behera 3/14, Bikash Rout 3/27) Lost to Odisha 107 for 6 in 19.5 Overs (Anshy Rath 29, Govinda Poddar 24 , Lakshay Garg 2/11) by four goals.
Odisha: 4 points, Goa: 0.