Played at CAP Ground 3 in Puducherry, India, Karaikal Playing XI batting first posted a total of 175/10 in 19.4 overs. Almost every batter from KXI chipped in with starts with handy contributions by Thamizh (30 runs), Vengadeshwaran (32 runs), Babu G (33 runs), and Hari Prasad (33 runs). From the bowlers, Mayank Pandey with 4/27 in 4 overs was the pick of the lot.
Defending a total of 176, Pondicherry North XI were cleaned up for 76 runs in just 15.2 overs courtesy a brilliant spell by spinner Akshay Jain. Akshay who has been performing consistently across all formats and tournaments once again delivered under crunch situation in the all important finals not only bowling 2 maidens but also bagging 3 wkts for mere 8 runs in his spell of 4 overs. Apart from Akshay, Karthigesan also bagged 3/11 in 3.2 overs.
Bowling a maiden in T20 format when batters are looking to score runs in almost every delivery is a very commendable achievement and bowling 2 maidens in the finals while defending a total just shows the calibre of Akshay Jain as a strike spinner who was declared ‘man of the match’ as Karaikal XI won the match by 99 runs to become the Champions of CAP Inter District T20 Tournament’
