The defending champions Chepauk Super Gillies captain Kaushik Gandhi was delighted after his team defeated Salem Spartans by seven wickets at the SCF Cricket Ground, Salem on Tuesday.

CSG restricted the opposition at 113-6 after Gandhi won the toss and decided to bowl first.

M Siddharth was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped three wickets in four overs and conceded only 13 runs. Gopinath scored 42 runs for SS but the team continued their struggle in the batting department as the rest of the batters could not get going.

On the other hand, CSG was given a good start by Kaushik Gandhi and N Jagadeesan as the duo added 89 runs for the opening partnership. Gandhi scored 46 runs but he feels he should have finished the game. CSG were able to chase down the target within 15 overs to complete a comprehensive win.

Kaushik Gandhi said in the post-match presentation, “Some of our plans didn’t go our way. I should have finished the game. Otherwise, a good game. I mean it is important we should get some runs, Overall I am happy with the batting. In the coming games, it should keep us in good stead. The outfield is very good. The crowd has been amazing.”

Manimaran Siddharth was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine bowling performance. Siddharth said he was looking to bowl in the right areas.

He said after the game, “I just wanted to bowl the right lengths. I just wanted to keep it tight. I just wanted to mix it up. The batters wanted some pace. All are match winners here.”

On the other hand, Salem Spartans continued their dismal show in the tournament as they suffered their fifth loss. They are yet to win a single match and Murugan Ashwin was expectedly disappointed.

Ashwin said after the match, “We have tried a lot. We need to work on it. We have tried to address it. But it has to come down to match application.”

CSG will next face Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans on Friday.