Jagadeesan — the tournament’s highest run-getter with 311 runs — started off cautiously as he scored only 15 from the first 22 deliveries he faced. He broke the shackles in the 12th over with two sixes in off-spinner Arnab Nandi’s bowling. In the next over, Jagadeesan hit medium-pacer Mukesh Kumar for a maximum over mid-wicket to turn the tide in TN’s favour. Jagadeesan lost fellow opener Hari Nishaanth (14) in the third over but kept TN in the chase with a 40-run second wicket stand with KB Arun Karthick (30, 3×4, 1×6).

Jagadeesan took his time to get going and his scoring rate improved with the arrival of Karthik in the 9th over. The duo looked comfortable at the crease and their 60-ball stand helped TN cross the finish line in 18 overs to notch up their fifth successive win in the tournament.
The opening session of play was all about TN’s stronghold in the first 10 overs followed by Bengal’s resurgence in the next half thanks to Kaif Ahmed’s unbeaten knock in the last 10 overs. Aparajith, who only bowled 5 overs in the three matches prior to Monday’s clash, was spot on from the very first over he bowled.

Aparajith put brakes on Bengal’s scoring by cleaning up openers Vivek Singh (7) and Shreevats Goswami (21). Tidy bowling and sharp fielding helped TN reduce Bengal to 68 for 4 at the halfway mark.

But Kaif, playing only his 4th Twenty20 clash for Bengal, played a mature innings. Even as most of his teammates were struggling to middle the ball, Kaif kept Bengal’s scoreboard ticking with hits on all parts of the ground but his 47-ball knock wasn’t enough to stop TN’s charge.
Brief scores: Bengal 163 for 8 in 20 overs (Kaif Ahmed 63 n.o, Anustup Majumdar 34; Aparajith 2-20). Tamil Nadu 167-2 in 18 overs (N Jagadeesan 71 n.o., Dinesh Karthik 47 n.o.). Tamil Nadu won by 8 wickets.

“But our father backed him a lot. He just wanted to see his son play Test cricket. He never considered ODIs or T20s as important as Test cricket. He used to say that actual cricket is Test cricket. What good is T20 cricket where a batsman can hit your good ball for a six? T20s and ODIs are batsman’s game. Test is different from these. Test cricket is the test of potential. Dad never used to play cricket but would take a lot of interest in the game,” Ismail told IANS from Hyderabad.
“The dream my father had was to see him play Tests. We are grateful that the dream has come true. It is a moment of joy but we wish dad was alive to see his son’s success,” said Ismail.

The 26-year-old fast bowler, who became only the fifth Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Test at the Gabba, on Monday credited his mother for backing him over the last couple of months during a tough period in which he lost his father.
“I talked to folks at home, spoke to mom. They encouraged me, made me feel strong,” Siraj said.

Ismail too credited their mother. “He has been away since August. Mummy handled it well. She is very strong. It is because of her that Siraj can focus on his game. He calls regularly and speaks to her. She would talk to him on the phone and encourage him to play,” Ismail said.
Siraj had on Monday explained that he had been following the fitness regimen given to him by the National Cricket Academy and worked out at home. It ensured that he bowled 134.2 overs in the series, the most by an Indian bowler, without any hint of tiredness even while manning the outfield.

Ismail revealed that during lockdown, Siraj would jog in the neighbourhood.
“He would put on his shoes and jog in the bylanes of Toli Chowki in the morning and work out at the gym in the evening. Fitness has always played a key role in his life,” Ismail said.