CHENNAI: After a long calm came the Shahrukh Khan storm, as the hard-hitting batter smashed a 17-ball half-century leading the Vida Kovai Kings to an impressive 85-run win over the struggling Dindigul Dragons here on Friday (August 21).
Kovai Kings, who needed a win to secure its place in the playoffs, started off strong with the openers, S Radhakrishnan and Suresh Lokeshwar, striking a 60-run partnership for the opening wicket, coming off just seven overs. Sachin, another in-form batter for Kovai, did not make as much of an impact with the bat as he held one end, with a 23-ball 30, occasionally clearing the boundary.
Andre Siddarth’s promotion at No.4 for some quick runs did not come off for Kovai, as the lanky batter could only hit seven off nine balls before the long walk back to the pavilion. But little did Dindigul expect Shahrukh to cook up a storm.
Literally and figuratively, it poured down at MA Chidambaram Stadium, as the Kovai skipper punished the Dragons after the rain break, as Shahrukh combined with Sachin to smash 75 runs in the last 3.5 overs, taking a particular liking to the Karuppasamy, with three towering sixes in the last over. The 31-year-old brought up his half-century off just 17 balls, as Kovai posted 171 on board.
Dindigul’s run chase never picked momentum, as the Kovai Kings flexed its bowling unit, with Manimaran Siddharth picking up two wickets to break the back of the Dragons. Jhathavedh Subramanyan ensured that the Dragons never recovered, picking up three wickets in the eighth over impressing one and all with his variations.
The leg-spinner disturbed the timbers to send Mohit Mittan back before trapping Hunny Saini right in front with a googly that turned back in sharply. A delivery later, the Kovai leg-spinner also sent back Dinesh as the Dragons were reduced to 60/6. While Sakthi Karuppasamy played some interesting shots, including scoops and a hit over the cover, it was too little too late, as the Dragons crashed out of the competition with a 85-run (DLS) loss.
Brief Scores:
Vida Kovai Kings 171/3 in 16 overs (Shahrukh 59, Lokeshwar 31; Viju Arul 1/19) beats Dindigul Dragons 93 in 13.2 overs (Vitkar 17, Mittan 13; Jhathvedh 4/12, M Siddharth 2/21) by 85 runs (DLS method)