In one of the most heart-racing contests of the 2025 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), the Salem Spartans held their nerve and edged past the Trichy Grand Cholas by just 7 runs, defending a competitive 179/8 in their 20 overs. It was a battle that showcased grit, momentum swings, and individual brilliance — with Hari Nishanth being deservingly named Player of the Match.
⚔️ First Innings: Salem Spartans Post 179/8
The Spartans, after being put into bat, began with steady intent. While Hari Nishanth’s contribution on paper reads only 8 runs, his presence and leadership were pivotal in setting the tone. The middle-order piled on the pressure, rotating strike and picking the boundary balls smartly.
Crucially, Salem didn’t rely on a single explosive innings. Instead, a collection of 20s and 30s, aided by some smart running and capitalizing on Trichy’s loose deliveries, helped push the total near the 180 mark — a daunting target under lights.
💥 Trichy Grand Cholas’ Chase: A Tale of Two Halves
Chasing 180, the Trichy Grand Cholas stumbled early. Within the first 6 overs, they were 28/4, thanks to incisive bowling by M Mohammed and Rahil Shah, who tore through the top order.
But as all good T20 scripts demand, there was a twist.
Enter R Rajkumar (59 off 26) and Jagatheesan Kousik (62 off 39) — the duo stitched together a counterattacking partnership filled with clean hits, clever placements, and sheer willpower. From 49/6 at the halfway mark to 172/8 after 19.5 overs, the game looked like it was slipping away from the Spartans.
But then came the final over.
🔥 Final Over Drama
With 8 runs needed off the last 2 balls, M Poiyamozhi delivered a clutch moment, dismissing the well-set Kousik with a sharp delivery that found the edge — safely pouched by R Kavin behind the stumps.
Kousik’s 62 (5 fours, 3 sixes) deserved applause, but it wasn’t enough. Trichy finished at 172/9, falling just 7 runs short.
🌟 Key Performers
- Hari Nishanth (Player of the Match): Though not a big scorer today, his tactical field placements and bowling rotations were match-defining.
- M Mohammed: The star with the ball, returning 4 wickets for 20 runs, including key scalps in the middle overs.
- J Kousik & R Rajkumar: Nearly pulled off a miracle with their fearless partnership.
📊 Turning Point
The match turned decisively in the 16th over when M Mohammed struck twice — removing the dangerous Rajkumar and Saravana Kumar. Despite a late onslaught from Kousik and Selva Kumaran, the momentum shift proved just enough to deny Trichy the win.
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FAQs
Salem Spartans won the match by 7 runs.
Hari Nishanth was awarded Player of the Match.
Salem Spartans: 179/8 (20 overs)
Trichy Grand Cholas: 172/9 (20 overs)
M Mohammed stood out with 4 wickets, while M Poiyamozhi bowled a tense final over.
Jagatheesan Kousik top-scored with 62 off 39 balls.
Stay tuned to the TNPL schedule for updates on their next fixture.
🏁 Conclusion
In what was arguably the most exhilarating contest of the TNPL 2025 so far, the Salem Spartans showed why resilience and discipline still matter in T20 cricket. The Trichy Grand Cholas may have lost, but they certainly gained respect with their valiant fightback.
If the rest of the TNPL continues like this, fans are in for a spectacular season.
