TNPL 2016: Albert Tuti Patriots beat Ruby Kanchi Warriors by 9 wickets

Albert Tuti Patriots kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the India Cements TN Premier League thanks to a thumping nine-wicket win over Ruby Kanchi Warriors at the NPR College Ground, Natham, on Sunday.

It was all too easy for the Patriots as they cantered home and chased down the 146-run target with 21 balls to spare.

In what was a must-win game, Patriots got off to a good start as U Sushil (36) - promoted up the order- and Kaushik Gandhi (80) smashed Warriors’ bowlers all around the park and never let the required run-rate dip.

Sushil, who was dropped on 17 by Nilesh Subramanian, put on a 76-run partnership with Gandhi in ten overs.

By the time he was dismissed by AC Pratibhan, Patriots were almost at victory’s doorstep.

Gandhi on the other hand accelerated once he reached his half-century, and took the required run-rate to less than run-a-ball.

He also became the second Patriots batsman to score a half-century in the tournament - the being Dinesh Karthik

Gandhi cleared the boundaries with ease and seemed in a hurry to finish off proceedings.

He finished off the game with a huge six and ensured that Patriots went into the next game with renewed confidence.

Earlier, Warriors, who batted first after winning the toss, had a sticky start as they lost a couple of early wickets before the power-play.

Bharath Shankar (13) holed out to SP Nathan at third-man while Aswin Crist (3 for 19) sent S Siddharth’s (7) leg-stump for a walk.

Later, skipper Baba Indrajith (28) joined forces with Nilesh Subramanium as they stitched a brief partnership.

But Subramanium was soon trapped leg-before by Aushik Srinivas, with Washington Sundar, Aushik and Crist stemming Warriors’ run-flow with some tight bowling.

The fall of Indrajith’s wicket saw Warriors accelerate as the in-form player played the sheet-anchors role to perfection.

He saw off the slower bowlers, particularly Crist, but soon gave a simple catch to Kaushik Gandhi at long-on.

A late blitz by J Kousik (43) saw him smash a huge six and boundary off L Balaji (0 for 37) which changed the complexion of the game.

That gave Warriors the much-needed momentum as they finished on 145 for 8 in the end.