CSG vs MP

So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentator, Bala as we wrap up the coverage of this fixture. Do stay tuned to Sportskeeda with a lot more cricket coming up tomorrow including the WC Qualifiers, TNPL, ECS and so on. Until next time, it is a warm good-bye from us!

C Hari Nishanth (Siechem Madurai Panthers skipper): Each and everyone of the bowlers performed superbly. (About his discussions with the coach) We were talking about the combinations, where Washi (Washington Sundar) should be batting etc. Washi batted brilliantly and showed his experience. We have genuine fast bowlers. Were speaking about the combinations till 11 am. We wanted to drag the game till the final over. M Ashwin has a left arm fracture. He still wanted to play. That's why I brought him as an impact player

Narayan Jagadeesan (Chepauk Super Gillies skipper): We gave away 48 runs in the last three overs. Even with our batting, we gave it away from a good position. Didn't lose any wickets in the Powerplay despite not scoring much. We didn't show any intent with the bat. Aparajith has been a one-man show for our team. The blame is on the batting line-up except him. We still have another match. Cannot do anything about it. Shouldn't think about anything and play the game

Ajay Krishna (Player of the Match): Feels surreal. Credit to my team-mates and management for backing me. The captain had a good plan. He suggested me to go for back of a length. I wasn't nervous as the entire team backed me. Want to dedicate this award to the coach. My captain had a big role in giving all the instructions!

Chepauk Super Gillies 129/9 (20 overs)
Narayanan Jagadeesan 35(29) | Baba Aparajith 33(29)
Ajay Krishna 4/18 (3) | Murugan Ashwin 3/25 (4)

Chepauk Super Gillies have bottled the chase of what looked like a modest target. The reaction of the Panthers' players and their coach tell pretty much the story of this match. They were down and out, and have come back from nowhere to clinch the victory.

For starters, the Panthers lost four wickets in the powerplay and the Super Gillies came through unscathed. In most scenarios, the latter should have won the match, but it wasn't to be tonight. It looked like the batters controlled the chase for the most part of it, but panic set in during the last five overs and everything went downhill.

The openers built a partnership of 59 runs in 9 overs before Murugan Ashwin got rid of Santosh Shiv. Skipper Jagadeesan departed not long after, scoring 35 runs off 29 deliveries. Baba Aparajith came in at three and batted solidly. But, after the loss of the openers, the floodgates opened up at one end. Aparajith kept on losing partners and started getting starved off the strike. 

It was Murugan Ashwin with the ball who made the real difference. He picked up three of the first four wickets to fall, and ensured that the Panthers gained some momentum after the start that the Super Gillies had had. The batting by the lower middle-order wasn't really smart. They kept going for the shots and getting out with Aparajith stranded at the other end. Ajay Krishna reaped rewards with three wickets in an over and put Panthers right on top.

With 8 wickets down and 15 runs to get off the final over, Baba Aparajith was left far too much to do. He fell while going for the big hit and the game was firmly in the pocket for the Panthers. 

19.6 Gurjapneet Singh to Rahil Shah, full-toss outside-off, Rahil carves it to deep backward point for a single. However, it is Madurai who sneak a 12-run victory out of nowhere!

19.5 Gurjapneet Singh to Rahil Shah, slower delivery on a length, Rahil looks to slog but he misses as the ball bounces over the stumps. Just one delivery left!

19.4 Gurjapneet Singh to Rahil Shah, slow and short on the stumps, Rahil backs away and tries to swing hard but he doesn't connect. Another dot ball!

19.3 Gurjapneet Singh to Rahil Shah, short of a length, slow and outside-leg. Rahil makes room and tries to heave it away but he doesn't connect

19.2 Gurjapneet Singh to M Silambarasan, DROPPED! Slower delivery on a length bowled wide of off. Silambarasan tries to slog it towards mid-wicket but he skies it to short fine-leg where Murugan Ashwin spills the catch. Single taken

19.1 Gurjapneet Singh to Baba Aparajith, TERRIFIC CATCH AND APARAJITH DEPARTS! Short of a length on off, Aparajith looks to go big but he mis-times it to deep mid-wicket where Deeban runs in and dives forward to take an excellent catch. Madurai on the verge of a special victory!

Three wickets and just four runs coming off that over! The onus is on Gurjapneet Singh now.

Chepauk Super Gillies need 15 runs off the final over!