CHENNAI: Dinesh Karthik, who had a wonderful season last year helping Tamil Nadu to two title triumphs and also winning the TNPL for Tuti Patriots, had told Express in a chat before TNPL season 2 that he had not changed his game. He attributed the reason for his success to mental strength and stroke-play. “I have not changed my style of batting. I’m a natural stroke maker and like to play my shots. What I have done is to be more judicious in my stroke play and have improved my shot selection,’’ said Karthik.
As if taking cue from the ace Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper batsman, Chepauk Super Gillies openers KH Gopinath (37) and Thalaivan Sargunam were at their attacking best. Both did not curb their natural instinct and runs flowed from the meat of their blades. Gopinath and Sargunam added 66 for the first wicket. After Gopinath was caught and bowled by Syed Mohammed, Sargunam (52 not out; 51 balls) continued the assault. He forged another partnership worth 40 runs with U Sasidev for the third wicket. He stayed on till the end and helped Chepauk to a six-wicket win over LYCA Kovai Kings in the Tamil nadu Premier League at Chepauk under lights here on Saturday.
Earlier, just before the game, L Suryaprakash the dependable opener of Kovai echoed similar sentiments to that of Karthik and said that he will be aggressive from the word go. “I like to go for shots and play aggressively. You have to be on top in the first 6 overs. What you make in the Powerplay helps the team post a good total,’’ said Suryaprakash.
“We have also learnt how to adjust our game as per the situation and know how to pace the innings without bringing the run rate down,’’ added the Kovai opener.
On Saturday, Suryaprakash was at his aggressive best giving Kovai a good start with a valuable 46. He looked to score off every ball and once struck Yo Mahesh for three consecutive boundaries to the delight of the large crowd in the stands.
But the top order did not lend him good support. In the Powerplay, Kovai managed only 35 runs. But it is the middle overs that most teams neglect where Chepauk scored over Kovai. “Why middle overs, in this format every ball is important. One bad ball at the wrong moment can change the course of the game. We have plans for each and every player and we will employ the best bowler as per the situation,’’ Badani had said. In the middle overs, Chepauk checked Kovai’s run flow and gave away only 68 runs and picked three wickets.
Brief scores: Lyca Kovai Kings 146/8 in 20 ovs (L Suryaprakash 46) lost to Chepauk Super Gillies 149/4 in 19 ovs (Thalaivan Sargunam 52 n.o).
ashok.v@newindianexpress.com