Nidhish sets it up, Harish, Boopathi seal win for Spartans

Nidhish Rajagoapal starred in Salem Spartans’ win against Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans in a TNPL match in Salem on Friday.
| Photo Credit: E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN

When the pressure is high, the side that keeps its nerve crosses the line. Needing 31 off the final two overs, SKM Salem Spartans pulled off a stunning four-wicket win over IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, thanks to unbeaten cameos from Harish Kumar (23, 12b, 1×4, 2×6) and Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (19, 11b, 2×4) in a TNPL match at the Salem Cricket Foundation Ground here on Friday.

Pacer A. Esakkimuthu conceded 25 runs off the penultimate over which included two fours, a six and four no-balls as the game swung in Salem’s favour.

Chasing 178, left-arm seamer T. Natarajan gave Tiruppur a perfect start, dismissing opener Hari Nishaanth off the second ball of the innings. When skipper S. Abishiek left early, Salem slipped to 27 for two.

Nidhish Rajagopal and R. Kavin rebuilt the innings. Just as their 65-run third-wicket stand began to shift the momentum, skipper R. Sai Kishore struck in the 13th over, dismissing Kavin. R. Vivek fell cheaply.

Nidhish switched gears, smashing Esakkimuthu for a six and two fours before falling to R. Silambarasan, leaving Salem reeling at 116 for five. However, the unbroken 45-run seventh-wicket stand between the 
Kumars — Harish and Boopathi — helped Spartans pull off a heist.

Earlier, after being asked to bat under overcast conditions, opener Tushar Raheja (74, 28b, 8×4, 5×6) continued his red-hot form and hammered the season’s fastest half-century (16b). He plundered 21 off left-arm spinner Rahil Shah in the fifth over.

When Tushar perished while trying to take on Hari Nishaanth, Spartans capitalised and restricted Tiruppur
 to 177 for eight. Then came the sizzling chase.

The scores: IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans 177/8 in 20 overs (Tushar Raheja 74, M. Mohammed 2/27, M. 
Poiyamozhi 3/29) lost to SKM Salem Spartans 178/6 in 19.5 overs (Nidhish Rajagopal 69, R. Kavin 32, T. Natarajan 2/28, R. Silambarasan 2/26). Toss: Spartans.