VKK vs SS

A convincing run-chase from Lyka Kovai Kings then. Fifties for Suresh Kumar and Sai Sudarshan as the duo made sure that their side had no trouble in scaling this target down with ease and sufficient deliveries to spare as well. They did lose an early wicket but it was that partnership between Sai and Suresh that took them home comfortably in the end. 

The batting was never in question for the Kovai Kings and they needed their bowling to step up, which was the reason for their victory today. Their bowlers restricted the opposition to a relatively low total and the batters the repaid the faith to register their first win of the tournament. They chased the total down with ease and this kind of a win will give them just the kind of momentum they need. This win also puts them into the fourth position on the table now.

Salem Spartans continue to struggle with their batting and that is something they have to work on going forward. They just did not have enough runs to play with once again and there is not much their bowlers could really have done here. Another disappointing defeat and they have to pick themselves up soon before the other teams start running away with points. They lost too many quick wickets and they have to work on building partnerships in the middle.

Well, that brings us to an end here with the first contest of the double header being completed. This has been Pradeep and myself (Rishab) as we take your leave. Do hang around to catch all the action from the second clash of the day coming your way in just a bit!

Murugan Ashwin: The target wasn't enough and the batting is something we need to work on. It is something which we spoke about and we have to get partnerships going. When we lost two quick wickets I wanted to take up the responsibility and that is why I came up the order. 

That is that then. Done and dusted in style and Sudarshan has made sure they do not waste more time here. What a way to get their first win and this will give them a lot of relief. They win by 8 wickets and this has been a good all-round performance from them!

16.3 M Ganesh Moorthi to B Sai Sudharsan, SIX! FINISHES THINGS IN STYLE! Lyca romped home to victory and register their first win of the season. Length delivery on the off-stump, Sai down on knee and CLUBBED it flat over long-on for a maximum to seal the game!

16.2 M Ganesh Moorthi to B Sai Sudharsan, FIFTY FOR SAI NOW! Drops it short on the outside off, Sai drags it but puts a lot of power behind and the long-on fielder stood no chance, that's a boundary.

16.2 M Ganesh Moorthi to Shahrukh Khan, OH! WIDE! Drifts this one down the leg-side, Shahrukh misses that one with a sweep, they pick up a bye as well as the keeper misses to collect.

16.1 M Ganesh Moorthi to B Sai Sudharsan, pushes it through, short on the middle and off, Sai on the backfoot taps it into the off-side for a quick single.

Just the kind of over Lyca Kovai Kings would have wanted here. Good batting to pick up the boundaries and keep the strike rotating as well. They are just a couple of hits away from winning this contest now. 11 more off 24 needed!

15.6 G Periyasamy to B Sai Sudharsan, takes the pace off again, back of a length on the fourth stump, Sai on the backfoot decides to dab it around short third-man for a single to finish the over.

15.5 G Periyasamy to B Sai Sudharsan, short on the wide of off-stump, Sai had to stretch and chops it into the ground, straight to the point fielder.

15.4 G Periyasamy to Shahrukh Khan, just misses out this time on the yorker, change of pace too as Shahrukh on the backfoot whips it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

15.3 G Periyasamy to Shahrukh Khan, FOUR! That gets thumped, misses out on the yorker again and comes out as low full toss on the pads. Shahrukh on the backfoot flicks that one away with power, races to the fence for another boundary.

15.2 G Periyasamy to B Sai Sudharsan, change of pace, length delivery on the off-stump, Sai waits for it and chops it to short third-man for a single.

15.1 G Periyasamy to B Sai Sudharsan, FOUR! Misses the yorker by a long way, low full toss on the outside off, Sai leans and smacks it to deep extra-cover fence for a boundary.

Tight from Murugan Ashwin here but this is not quite going to help them here. He does manage to strike eventually but this seems too little too late now to say the least. Suresh Kumar has played a brilliant hand and Lyca should get over the line easily from this stage. 22 more off 30 needed!