SMA vs WAR

So that will be all from our coverage of this contest as another day's action at the Pondicherry T10 2023 comes to an end. There's plenty more cricketing action to keep tab of though so do stay tuned to Sportskeeda and keep yourselves updated with it all and much more. For the moment though, this is Sooryanarayanan Sesha taking your leave. Thank you so much for tuning into our coverage as we hope you enjoyed the same. See you around soon - buh-bye and take care!

Match Summary: Warriors beat Smashers by 16 runs.

M Vigneshwaran 43* (12) | Shiva Shankar M 1/12 (2)
Sivamurugan M 37* (28) | Rishi Raut 4/9 (4)

They just had too many to chase and in the end, it was tough for the Smashers even as they gave it everything. The Warriors had plenty to work with though as skipper M Vigneshwaran powered them to a superb total of 110 and even as the Smashers began their chase well, they failed to cross the finish line.

Skipper P Sunil Kumar and Sivamurugan M began positively and found the fence on a regular basis although they had to keep it going for a considerable period of time to stay on par with the asking rate. There was the odd tight over in between although you got the impression that the Smashers were up to the task today in order to get their first points on the board. Off-spinner Krishnakumar S bowled an excellent spell to make life difficult for the batters as he slowly sent the asking rate rising up.

The Warriors certainly slacked on the field though, with quite a few dropped catches and misfields being the norm. Thankfully for them, it didn't come back to hurt them later on once they finally got their first wicket as Sunil holed out to long on. Harshavardhan MP couldn't get going but was run out in chaotic fashion despite a dropped catch and a fumble by the bowler upon collecting the ball.

Sivamurugan slowed down as he tried hard to middle the ball but with Vigneshwaran combining with Thamizhmani G to keep the batters quiet, the equation got out of hand despite Sivakumar S turning in a handy little cameo with the bat. In the end, the Warriors held on by 16 runs to take their tally of points to six as they go level with the Titans on top of the table, with Smashers continuing to languish at the bottom with their third loss in as many games. Loads of work to do as far as they're concerned as they seek to put their campaign back on track before it becomes too late.

It was always going to be too stiff towards the end for the Smashers and while they've fought hard, they have to settle for second best again as they remain winless for the tournament. What a victory though for the Warriors!

9.6 Thamizhmani G to Pankaj Yadav, FOUR! JUST A CONSOLATION IN THE END! Angles it a touch too straight on a good length as Pankaj helps it around the corner with a glance on the up. Picks the gap and sends it racing away to the fence past long leg's right but the curtains will come down on this contest with that. Warriors win by 16 runs!

9.3 Thamizhmani G to Sivakumar S, HOLES OUT! That should be the game! Full outside the off stump and Sivakumar swings hard aiming to clear the fence. Ends up skying it high before it drops safely into the hands of cover who comes forward and gobbles it up to send Sivakumar on his way back

9.2 Thamizhmani G to Sivamurugan M, full outside the off stump. Sivamurugan drills the ball down the ground towards long off for a single. Everything has to go hereon!

9.1 Thamizhmani G to Sivamurugan M, OH! Slants away wide of off stump on a full length. Very close to the tramline as it is left alone but the umpire is satisfied with it

This one's going right down to the wire and mind you, the Smashers are ahead of where the Warriors were at the end of the ninth over. It was Vigneshwaran's onslaught in the final over that powered his team to 110. Can one of Sivakumar or Sivamurugan pull off something similar? Smashers require 22 runs to win off the final over!

8.6 M Vigneshwaran to Sivakumar S, full length delivery outside the off stump. Sivakumar aims for a wild swing across the line but can only drag it onto his boots before it rolls away to the right of the keeper, no run

8.5 M Vigneshwaran to Sivakumar S, FOUR MORE! MUCH NEEDED BOUNDARY! A touch short outside the off stump. Sivakumar takes a step forward and heaves it flat in front of square on the leg-side and along the carpet without middling it. The ball goes rocketing along the carpet en route to the fence

8.3 M Vigneshwaran to Sivakumar S, FOUR! Not in complete control but they'll take it! Dug short at the stumps as Sivakumar swivels to help his pull around the corner off the top-edge. Runs away fine along the outfield to beat long leg to his right for four

8.3 M Vigneshwaran to Sivakumar S, WIDE! Slants away wide of off stump on a full length. Sivakumar swings hard but fails to connect as the umpire signals a wide

8.2 M Vigneshwaran to Sivakumar S, well outside the off stump on a full length. Sivakumar comes forward to slash it powerfully in front of point and into the deep for a couple of runs