IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Trichy Grand Cholas Match 17 Full Commentary

Welcome back! The players are back out in the middle, and the chase is ready to get underway. Amith Sathvik and Tushar Raheja stride out to open for Tiruppur, with the target in their sights. The Cholas will be hoping their bowlers can make early inroads. Here is Athisayaraj Davidson...

.... CHASE BEGINS ...

Big task ahead... Tiruppur have a sizeable target to hunt down, but the surface should offer plenty of encouragement to the batters. The Cholas, however, will fancy their chances after a confident showing with the ball of late. Tiruppur have made chasing their forte this season, winning every game they have played batting second, and that record will give them plenty of belief. Their deep batting line-up now faces a stern test. Can they keep the chasing streak alive? We will find out soon...

Tiruppur let it slip - IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans will be disappointed with both their bowling and catching. They were too loose for large parts, offering far too many boundary balls and letting the pressure slip. T Natarajan and Silambarasan had their moments but blew hot and cold, while S Mohammed Ali put in a decent four-over spell. However, the rest struggled to stem the flow, and the Cholas were happy to cash in.

SSS kept them motoring - The Cholas were rocked early when skipper Suresh Kumar departed, but Rajkumar K and Shyam Sundar put the innings back on course with a valuable 72-run partnership. Sundar was the more assertive of the two, initially playing himself in before unleashing a wider range of strokes. Rajkumar eventually found his rhythm too, only to fall just as the pair began to threaten. Koushik then joined Sundar to add 34, but two quick wickets briefly checked the momentum. Sundar, however, was in no mood to slow down, bringing up a fine fifty before continuing his assault. His 37-run burst with Sanjay Yadav, coming off just 19 balls, ensured the Cholas finished with plenty of momentum.

Sundar steals the show! What a phenomenal batting display from Sundar! He was the linchpin throughout, showcasing the full range of his stroke-making and anchoring every partnership along the way. Shyam made sure the Cholas never lost the plot, before shifting gears at the perfect time. A whopping 52 runs came in the final four overs, with Sundar bringing up a superb century. The Cholas will be delighted with that finish.

Ragupathy Silambarasan to bowl the final over.

Antony Dhas is in next.

More action awaits... That's all we have from Thursday. The tournament is beginning to take shape, with plenty of teams already showing their competitive mettle. Friday, 14th August, brings another double-header your way. At 3.30 pm IST, SKM Salem Spartans take on Dindigul Dragons, before the unbeaten Siechem Madurai Panthers face Chepauk Super Gillies at 7.30 pm IST. Do join us for all the action. Until then, goodbye and cheers!

Sundar's dream night - S Shyam Sundar walks away with the Player of the Match award after a sensational 104* off 57 balls. He was the glue that held the Cholas' innings together, featuring in five crucial partnerships, an aspect where Tiruppur's batting fell short and perhaps proved the difference between the two sides. A delighted Sundar reveals he only learned this morning that he was playing, but made sure he was prepared and focused when the opportunity arrived. He says scoring a hundred has always been something he visualised, making the achievement feel surreal, and admits he is still trying to take it all in. Sundar says he never chased milestones during his innings, preferring to stay in his zone and remain calm. He also reflects fondly on his time with the CSK setup, calling it a wonderful experience, and dedicates the success to his parents, family and friends for their unwavering support.

Gold dust with the ball - Athisayaraj Davidson and K Easwaran set the tone with an excellent new-ball spell before returning to deliver at the death. Sanjay Yadav's double strike in the 16th over proved equally pivotal, just when Tiruppur were beginning to sense momentum. The Cholas' attack took a few blows along the way, but when the pressure peaked, they found their radar and hit the right areas. Their fielding was another standout, with the Cholas holding on to everything that came their way. A complete effort when it mattered most.

Game of nerves -  Tiruppur's chase was largely a one-man show, with Tushar Raheja's superb knock and his century stand keeping them in the hunt. The Cholas were outstanding with the new ball, bowling so tightly that Tiruppur had to wait until the fifth over for their first boundary. At 38/2 after the Powerplay, the chase was already wobbling, but that big partnership suddenly swung the momentum Tiruppur's way. Just when the game seemed to be slipping, Trichy found another gear at the death, dismantling the chase and sealing their third straight win.

Cholas turn it around - A terrific chase seemed to be unfolding when Tushar Raheja and Pradosh Ranjan Paul put together a commanding 127-run stand. Tiruppur looked firmly in control, but the Cholas saved their best for the business end. The 15th over saw the departure of Tushar and then a couple of wickets fell in the 16th over, which included another set batter in Paul. The chase nosedived for IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans from there and they fell short of the target.

32 needed off 8 balls. Can someone do a Rithik Easwaran?

Esakkimuthu Ayyakutti comes in next.

Mathivannan M arrives in the middle, 40 needed off 16 balls.

Easwaran comes back to bowl at the death.