N.S. Chaturved had left little impression on TNPL 2025: 139 runs from 107 balls at 129.90, no fifty. On Saturday, at the NPR College ground, he produced an innings that belonged to an altogether different statistical universe. He scored 121 off 47 balls (15×4, 7×6) at 257.45, reaching his maiden TNPL hundred in 40 balls, the fastest in the league’s history.

A batter who had offered little warning had produced something spectacular. And his team Madurai Panthers benefitted, chasing down 240 against VIDA Kovai Kings with six wickets and three balls to spare.

Chaturved’s innings was a study in repetition: the pull and sweep repeatedly finding deep square leg and deep midwicket, with the occasional charge down the track to unsettle the bowlers. He raced to his fifty in just 19 balls, then accelerated further, cutting and driving when width was offered and carting anything full into the deep.

Even after reaching three figures, there was no easing off, as he immediately launched pacer R.S. Ambrish over cow corner before charging leg-spinner Jhathavedh Subramanyan for a four through covers and a six over deep midwicket.

Chaturved and Siddharth Mahadevan added 162 off 74 balls, a record second-wicket partnership in the TNPL.

Earlier, Andre Siddarth played the defining knock of his T20 career, scoring his maiden TNPL fifty (87 n.o., 42b, 8×4, 6×6), and B. Sachin struck his second consecutive fifty (84, 43b, 9×4, 5×6) as Kovai Kings posted 239 for four, the highest team total in the league. Later, Madurai Panthers pulled off a stunning chase to complete the highest successful chase in TNPL history.

In the second match of the day, opener K. Rajkumar’s unbeaten 67 (43b, 5×4, 3×6), his maiden TNPL fifty, guided Trichy Grand Cholas to a seven-wicket win over SKM Salem Spartans.

Rajkumar added 99 off 67 balls for the second-wicket stand with J. Kousik (46) as his team chased down 153 with seven wickets and three overs to spare.