Spartans delight the locals with a seven-wicket win
The Hindu
SKM Salem Spartans secure a dominant seven-wicket victory over Dindigul Dragons in Tamil Nadu Premier League match.
There were no Monday Blues for the home fans as they relished host SKM Salem Spartans’ commanding seven-wicket win over Dindigul Dragons in a Tamil Nadu Premier League fixture at the Salem Cricket Foundation Ground.
Spartans were never in trouble while hunting down a target of 150 on a pitch that was a bit two-paced.
After R. Kavin (46, 34b, 8x4) started the fireworks, R. Vivek (51 n.o., 28b, 5x4, 3x6) unleashed a flurry of lofted shots in the middle overs to make short work of the chase.
Vivek’s winning shot, scooping a short ball over the wicketkeeper, embodied Spartans’ no-holds-barred approach.
Earlier, opting to bat, Dragons openers Shivam Singh and R. Ashwin were put under duress early through some disciplined bowling. Shivam and Ashwin finally succumbed to pressure as they lost their wickets to Sunny Sandhu (two for 23) and S. Harish Kumar (two for 28) respectively.
Birthday boy B. Indrajith (51, 34b, 4x4, 2x6) and R. Vimal Khumar (47, 32b, 3x4, 2x6) then steadied the ship with a 64-run partnership.
With Dragons looking good at 87 for two, the game saw probably one of the shortest rain delays in cricket with the ground-staff not even getting to cover the square fully before the drizzle stopped.