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‘And the party begins now’ – Fans go crazy as Lyca Kovai Kings become TNPL 2023 Champions
Lyca Kovai Kings and Nellai Royal Kings clashed against each other in the final match of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2023 at the Indian Cement Company Ground in Tirunelveli on Wednesday, July 13. The Kovai Kings clinched a convincing victory over the Royak Kings by 104 runs and get their hands on the coveted trophy.
Talking about the match, Atheeq Ur Rahman (50), U. Mukilesh (51 not out), and J. Suresh Kumar (57) all scored half-centuries for Kovai Kings, who batted first, as they helped the team to a massive 205 for 5 total. The Royal Kings were bowled out for 101 runs in 15 overs, therefore they were never in the chase.
The best performance came from Suresh Kumar, who stabilised the innings after Kovai Kings lost two fast wickets. In his 33-ball innings, he hit two fours and three sixes before Mukilesh and Atheeq took over, scoring quickly to post a difficult total.
Our target is for three years and not just one year: Shahrukh Khan
Chasing the target, the Royal Kings’ reply never got going because they kept losing wickets. The two bowlers who shredded the Royal Kings were Shahrukh Khan (3-16) and Jhatavedh Subramanyan (4-21). Kovai Kings’ skipper Shahrukh talked about his team’s journey during the league in the post-match conference.
“That is the plan when we sat at the auctions, we needed characters who are calm in every situation. Our target is for three years and not just one year, we want to achieve a lot of things till 2025. Lot of people said why not X over X but this is how we wanted the team. It feels great to win two in two but our target is 2025. It is really important as a player to be backed and that is the captain’s job.
“Once you have picked somebody it makes no sense to drop them over 2-3 games. I have always been bowling in the age categories, I had a slight shoulder niggle and my bowling faded, but I have started bowling again. At the auctions, the whole responsibility was given to me and they trusted me with closed eyes. It (the win) is not because of what I did but because of what the boys did.” Shahrukh was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Here’s how fans reacted:
One sided domination from Lyca 🔥🔥.
Shahrukh Legend 🔥🔥.— Raja (@Raja_324) July 12, 2023
Worst ever league i have seen
& what a final 104 run winning
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Just imagine the nature of league by his finale result— Ankit Aamga (@congressi_ankit) July 12, 2023
As I said earlier DD always performs well in all TNPL tournaments whether with big names or fresh newcomers but somehow couldn't make it as a champion 🏆.
I suggest DD should play frequent matches internally till next TNPL rather than only regroup in Next TNPL.— Maharajan (@mahajack74) July 13, 2023
Jhatavendh subramanyan was bowling well throughout the tnpl but he was due for a big one which happened to be the finals. He'll surely be a spinner to Watch out in Whiteball formats. Congratulations @LaxmanSivarama1 he made u proud again. Keep helping these youngsters.
— Vijay (@Virendervijay88) July 13, 2023
Congratulations LKK. Full domination in both batting and bowling. But I didn't expect this from NRK in final where they didn't fightback in both batting and bowling and simply surrendered to them. Hope next time they will. #TNPL pic.twitter.com/D0iFC9BYpP
— sainadh (@cricketsoul96) July 13, 2023
TNPL >>> IND WI series 🥱🥱
— N Y C T O P H I L E (@pranavvishu) July 13, 2023
Sharukh Khan next Big thing In bowling 😁😁
— Dhruv Sharma ( pro wrestling+ Anime Fan ) (@WrestlingOn1) July 12, 2023
Just think of standard of the league 😂😭
— मुसाफ़िर🇦🇷 (@PogoTogo1) July 12, 2023