Photo: Instagram/ @shahrukh.35A no holds barred onslaught from Lyca Kovai Kings captain Shahrukh Khan helped his side brush aside Nellai Royals Kings in their final league match of the 2021 Tamil Nadu Premier League. The explosive batsman hammered 64 runs off just 29 balls to give his team a crucial win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium to Chennai which propelled the Kovai Kings into the knockout stages of the 2021 TNPL.
Batting first on the night, Lycai Kovai Kings were in a spot of bother with the score at 76/4 after 12 overs. However, out stepped captain Shahrukh Khan and his blitzkrieg knock managed to change the course of the game for his franchise. The 26-year-old got off the mark with a neat flick towards the vacant mid-wicket boundary, and followed that up with a four and a six off spinner NS Harish’s bowling.
Shahrukh, who represents Punjab Kings in the VIVO Indian Premier League, embellished his reputation for being a fearless hitter by nabbing a four and a six off Ashwath Mukumthan’s second over. The Kovai Kings skipper got to his fifty of just 25 balls, and adding further insult to injury, bludgeoned the final over of the innings for 19 runs.
Shahrukh Khan remained unbeaten on 64, smashing five fours and five sixes in his knock as the Kovai Kings posted a daunting target of 170 runs. His cameo ended up being the difference on the night as Lycai Kovai Kings managed to win by a slender margin of seven runs against Nellai Royal Kings.
In a must win game for his franchise to progress to the knockouts, skipper Shahrukh stepped up with that explosive cameo that rightfully earned him the man of the match accolade. Lycai Kovai Kings now face Dindigul Dragons in the eliminator game on Wednesday, August 11.
View this post on Instagram
Murugan outmuscles Madurai Panthers
Fellow Punjab Kings player Murugan Ashwin also had a memorable outing in his final game of the 2021 Tamil Nadu Premier League, as he starred with both bat and ball to give his team- Salem Spartans a win.
The 30-year-old played a spectacular cameo of 30 runs off just 12 balls to ensure Salem Spartans ended the innings strong against Madurai Panthers. Murugan scored four sixes in the final few deliveries of the game to get his team’s score to 144.
Then with ball in hand, the leg spinner accounted for the wickets of opposition captain NS Chaturved and Jagatheesan Kousik, stunting the opposition chase with those timely breakthroughs. Murugan ended with figures of 2/25 as Salem Spartans managed a 11 run victory.
