Kovai Kings crush Trichy Grand Cholas by 116 runs in TNPL

Vida Kovai Kings thrashed Trichy Grand Cholas by 116 runs in a Tamil Nadu Premier League match at the NPR College ground in Dindigul on Saturday. Batting first, Kovai posted 201 for six in 20 overs, powered by B. Sachin's 45-ball 77, his third half-century of the season, and a 75-run sixth-wicket partnership with KTA Madhava Prasad (38 not out), Sportstar reports.

Chasing 202, Trichy were bowled out for 85 in 16.1 overs. Deeban Lingesh (3/24) struck early, dismissing skipper J. Suresh Kumar for a duck, while Jhathavedh Subramanyan (3/10) cleaned up the middle order. K. Rajkumar top-scored with 32 for the Cholas. The New Indian Express notes that Jhathavedh and Deeban were the pick of the bowlers.

The win ended a three-match losing streak for Kovai and lifted their net run rate. With two league matches left, captain Shahrukh Khan called it a must-win situation, telling The Hindu, 'We will be out of the tournament if we lose.' Kovai next face Chepauk Super Gillies in Chennai on Tuesday.