TNPL | Gillies thrash Giants to put one foot in play-offs

It was another horrendous display from Giants who are yet to notch up a single win in the league. Giants’ run-chase unfolded the same way as it has been throughout the tournament as they got off to a good start thanks to Arun Karthik and Ganpathi Vignesh. But the departure of Shijit Chandran meant that Giants’ batting fell like a pack of cards. Sai Kishore was the wrecker-in-chief as he led the way for the Gillies, and every bowler except R Alexander picked up a wicket each.

The importance of the left-arm spinners was highlighted in this contest as batsmen from both teams had it difficult facing spin. U Sasidev’s super catch at mid-on off R Satish was another highlight of the Gillies’ bowling. The rest of the batting couldn’t add much to the score as Giants’ misery continued.

Their 65-run partnership was finally broken by G Vignesh when Saravanan’s attempted sweep fell to M Raja at short-fine leg. Though Muruganantham and Edward Kennedy controlled the run-rate well in the middle overs, credit goes to Sargunam, who held one end firmly. He completed his half-century - his second in as many games - and he joined forces with skipper Sathish to accelerate the score towards the end of their innings.