The phrase ‘it’s not over until it’s over’ holds true for sport, especially the shortest format of cricket where the complexion of a match can change in the blink of an eye.
The unpredictable nature of T20s was on full display at the Tamil Nadu Premier League on Wednesday, when Madurai Panthers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Trichy Grand Cholas.
At the NPR College Ground here, P. Saravanan (26 not out off 13 balls, 2×4, 2×6) and Gurjapneet Singh (21 not out off nine balls, 3×4, 1×6) emerged as the unlikely batting heroes, pulling off a nail-biting two-wicket win with two deliveries to spare.
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At the time Gurjapneet joined forces with Saravanan, Panthers appeared to be down in the dumps – they required 42 runs off just 17 balls in their 174-run pursuit.
But Gurjapneet provided a glimmer of hope, smacking Antony Dhas for two fours and a six in the 18th over, before Saravanan completed the epic turnaround with a maximum and a four off R. Rajkumar in the final over.
Panthers experienced a slice of luck in the penultimate over, during which Shyam Sundar spilled a chance offered by Saravanan at long-off.
Earlier, pacer S. Rajalingam (three for 26) helped Madurai keep Trichy down to 173 for seven after B. Anirudh Sitaram elected to field.
In the other game, a final flourish with the bat and a well-executed bowling show propelled Nellai Royal Kings to a comfortable 50-run victory over Chepauk Super Gillies.