TNPL 2026: Salem Spartans dump holders iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans out with shock win

CHENNAI: After six straight loses, Salem Spartans woke up and chose violence, as Karthick Manikandan’s maiden TNPL half-century combined with Rahil Shah’s three-fer helped them defeat iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans by 45 runs here on Saturday.

Taking a leaf out of Kovai Kings’ book, the Salem Spartans opted to bat first, and made a positive start in the clash through Abishiek and talented Boopathi Vaishna Kumar, with 47 runs off the first 4.2 overs. Boopathi scored 16-ball 27 while the skipper Abishiek scored a 19-ball 29, with two fours and as many sixes.

Rajendran Vivek (6) and Sunny Sandhu (1) did not have any sort of impact with the bat, as 47/1 quickly turned into 65/4 for the Spartans, who at that point was staring at another defeat, making it seven in a row. However, all hopes were not lost with Karthick Manikandan still at the crease.

The 21-year-old played some delightful strokes, and took utmost stock of the situation, with a patient half-century which came off 37 balls, by which he had hit four fours and two sixes. Wicketkeeper Eshwar (26 off 19) and Mohammed Mohammed (16 off 10) provided the finishing touches as the Spartans recovered to post 169/8.

In reply, the Tamizhans were cruising at 31/0 after 3 overs. Just when it looked like it would be another one of those chase downs, Poiyamozhi struck to remove Amit Sathvik for a 10-ball 16.

Last match’s hero, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, faltered this time around with a five-ball two, putting a lot of pressure on Tushar Raheja and the middle-order. It was the wise bowling display from 40-year-old Rahil Shah that tilted the game in Spartan’s favour.

Barring Mohamed Ali, none of the lower order contributed as Raheja put on a valiant effort. The hard-hitting left-handed opener maintained balance between attack and defence, with a 43-ball 75, with six fours and five sixes – keeping the Tamizhans constantly in the reckoning. But once he walked back, with the score reading 112/8, it seemed all done and dusted, as they are also now knocked out of the playoff race.

Brief Scores: SKM Salem Spartans 169/8 in 20 overs (Karthick 57, Abishiek 29; Mathivannan 3/18) beats iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans 124/9 in 20 overs (Tushar 75; Rahil 3/23, Poiyamozhi 2/11) by 45 runs