T Natarajan to bowl the final over of the innings and he has 26 runs to play with. If he nails his yorkers, it becomes a question about the quantum of loss.
Expensive end to Mithun's spell. 17 runs came off his final over and the required run rate is down to 12.5. The only problem for Karaikudi is the lack of batting to come.
The 15th over ends with an almost unbelievable catch at backward point by Ajith Ram, who flung himself to his right and just couldn't hold on. Just four came off that over from Antony Dhas.
OUT! Shajahan picks out Abhinav Mukund at cover and T Natarajan has a wicket. And that looks like it will be that. M Shajahan c Abhinav Mukund b T Natarajan 8(8)
An excellent spell of fast bowling from K Vignesh ends with the Tamil Nadu pacer having figures of 3/19 in what is certain to be a match-winning performance.
OUT! R Mithun picks up a wicket. Rajkumar tries to slog but only ends up picking up K Vignesh at short third man. And at the halfway stage, Karaikudi have a mountain to climb. Rajkumar c K Vignesh b Mithun R 14(15)
KV on fire!!!! He gets his second of the over and third of the match. Kavin mistimes a pull and offers R Mithun an easy catch at square-leg. R Kavin c R Mithun b K Vignesh 1(3)
KV gets his second! Vignesh bowls a slower one and R Srnivasan tried to loft one over mid-off just to offer the mid-off fielder Antony Dhas a simple catch. Rajhamany Srinivasan c Antony Dhas b K Vignesh 3(4)
V Aditya tried to sweep one over the short fine-leg fielder, guides one straight into the hands of R Mithun in that position. A wicket and four runs off the fourth over bowled by Ajith Ram.
This was an innings devoid of any momentum. Their leading run-getter in TNPL 2018 got out early and although Abhinav Mukund hit a fifty, he never really looked in control. On a pitch that hasn't had any demons, Kovai will be kicking themselves for finishing with just 137/8. But they have arguably the best bowling attack in the competition and they will feel that they are still in with a chance.
Rajkumar finishes a splendid spell of fast bowling with figures of 4/30. Just another to over go. It will be bowled by the experienced Yo Mahesh and two bowlers are currently at the crease. What can they do?
OUT! Rajesh MP tries to go for the big shot but all he does is pick out R Srinivasan. Another wicket for Kaalai and Kovai continue to struggle. Rajesh MP c R Srinivasan b Rajkumar 10(11)
OUT! After back-to-back boundaries from Ashwin Venkataraman, he tries to be too cute, slips and he loses his off-stump. That was the last thing that Kovai would have wanted just as they were gaining some momentum. Ashwin Venkataraman b Rajkumar 15(11)
Six off Mohan Prasath's final over as he finishes with figures of 0/17. He almost got a wicket off the first ball of the over but the batsman got back in time before the keeper whipped off the bails.
RUN-OUT! They say you never run off a misfield and that is why. Mukund goes for two after a wild throw from the deep and he can't complete the second. Excellent throw from Mohan Prasath and Mukund is gone immediately after his fifty. Abhinav Mukund run-out (Mohan Prasath/ R Kavin) 51(46)
FIFTY! Abhinav Mukund gets to his fifty with just lofted drive over long off. His fifty came off 43 balls and came courtesy of excellent movement of his feet.
OUT! Akkil goes big but slices that to deep point where another excellent catch is taken. This time by Aaditya, who doesn't have to move too much but has to judge the height perfectly to complete the catch. Akkil Srinaath c Aaditya b Rajkumar 5(8)
