CHENNAI: The experienced R Sathish (unbeaten 19-ball 31) delivered when it mattered the most as defending champions Chepauk Chepauk Super Gillies beat Nellai Royal Kings by five wickets to make the TNPL-6 final at Salem on Wednesday. In pursuit of 140, Chepauk slipped to 95 for 5 in the 15th over when Sathish and S Harish Kumar (13 n.o., 1x6) teamed up and their unfinished 46 run stand in just 4.3 overs took them home in 19.2 overs.
Chepauk's chase got on track after being 1-2 in the first over thanks to skipper Kaushik Gandhi (40, 1x4, 2x6) and R Sai Kishore (43, 2x4, 4x6). Their 78-run partnership from 56 balls took Chepauk to 79-3 in the 11th over. Nellai came back strongly thanks to leg-spinner Manikandan Karthick (4-0-14-3). The 17-year-old boy was sharp with his variations and accounted for Sai Kishore, U Sasidev (4) and Kaushik Gandhi in quick succession as Chepauk were in a spot of bother. However, Sathish and Harish rose to the occasion and took Chepauk home.
