<p>Tamil Nadu began their title defence in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament with a 12-run win over Maharashtra in a Elite Group 'A' match here on Thursday.</p>.<p>Maharashtra fell short despite a blistering knock by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who hammered 51 off 30 balls with eight fours and a six to finish at 155 for six in 20 overs in reply to Tamil Nadu's 167 for four.</p>.<p>The stylish right-hander, who was in prime form for Chennai Super Kings in their recent IPL triumph, continued in the same vein before his departure pegged the team back.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-expect-tricky-surface-in-sharjah-says-santner-1047316.html" target="_blank">New Zealand expect tricky surface in Sharjah, says Santner</a></strong></p>.<p>Gaikwad made the Tamil Nadu attack look pedestrian and smacked the usually economical R Sai Kishore for three straight boundaries in his first over. Along with Yash Nahar, he powered Maharashtra to 55 at the end of the sixth over.</p>.<p>Leggie M Ashwin (2/18) broke the partnership by dismissing Nahar, caught behind by N Jagadeesan for 17.</p>.<p>Veteran Kedar Jadhav helped Gaikwad add 24 runs for the second wicket and Maharashtra looked set to challenge the stiff target.</p>.<p>But Ashwin trapped Gaikwad leg-before to peg the opposition back before Sai Kishore sent back Jadhav for 13 and dented Maharashtra's progress.</p>.<p>Maharashtra remained in the hunt, thanks to some gutsy efforts by N S Shaik (22), R R Nikam (20, 17 balls, 1X6) but could not get across the line as TN bowlers held firm with Sandeep Warrier conceding only seven runs in the final over.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/manu-bhaker-6-others-to-take-part-in-inaugural-issf-presidents-cup-1047311.html" target="_blank">Manu Bhaker, 6 others to take part in inaugural ISSF President's Cup</a></strong></p>.<p>Medium-pacer T Natarajan, returning to action after an injury, finished with one for 38 from his four overs.</p>.<p>Earlier sent into bat, Tamil Nadu got off to a good start with the openers C Hari Nishaanth (27, 3X4s, 1X6) and N Jagadeesan (30, 2X4s, 1X6) putting on 50 for the first wicket.</p>.<p>However, it was young B Sai Sudarshan (35, 19 balls, 5X4s), who provided the much-needed thrust with an aggressive knock before skipper Vijay Shankar ensured a strong finish with a powerful 21-ball 42 (5X4s, 1X6).</p>.<p>Tamil Nadu coach M Venkataramana said it was a good win and the batsmen managed well after being sent in to bat.</p>.<p>"In the second half, Ruturaj was taking match away from us. Good comeback in the field by our bowlers. M Ashwin bowled well to get two wickets and got us the breakthrough," he told PTI reflecting the team's performance.</p>.<p><strong>Brief Scores:</strong></p>.<p>Tamil Nadu 167 for 4 in 20 overs (Vijay Shankar 42, B Sai Sudarshan 35, N Jagadeesan 30, SS Bachhav 2/35) beat Maharasthra 155 for 6 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 51, N S Shaikh 33, M Ashwin 2/18) by 12 runs. TN: 4 points, Maharashtra: 0.</p>.<p>Pondicherry 106 all out in 19.5 overs (Sagar Trivedi 44, Marimuthu 25, Siddarth Kaul 3/6, Abhishek Sharma 3/7) lost to Punjab 107 for 2 in 12.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 54 not out, Gurkeerat Singh Mann 24 not out) by eight wickets. Punjab: 4 points, Puducherry: 0.</p>.<p>Goa 104 for 8 in 20 overs (Shubam Ranjane 32, Jayanta Behera 3/14, Bikash Rout 3/27) lost to Odisha 107 for 6 in 19.5 overs (Anshy Rath 29, Govinda Poddar 24, Lakshay Garg 2/11) by four wickets. Odisha: 4 points, Goa: 0.</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>
<p>Tamil Nadu began their title defence in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament with a 12-run win over Maharashtra in a Elite Group 'A' match here on Thursday.</p>.<p>Maharashtra fell short despite a blistering knock by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who hammered 51 off 30 balls with eight fours and a six to finish at 155 for six in 20 overs in reply to Tamil Nadu's 167 for four.</p>.<p>The stylish right-hander, who was in prime form for Chennai Super Kings in their recent IPL triumph, continued in the same vein before his departure pegged the team back.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/new-zealand-expect-tricky-surface-in-sharjah-says-santner-1047316.html" target="_blank">New Zealand expect tricky surface in Sharjah, says Santner</a></strong></p>.<p>Gaikwad made the Tamil Nadu attack look pedestrian and smacked the usually economical R Sai Kishore for three straight boundaries in his first over. Along with Yash Nahar, he powered Maharashtra to 55 at the end of the sixth over.</p>.<p>Leggie M Ashwin (2/18) broke the partnership by dismissing Nahar, caught behind by N Jagadeesan for 17.</p>.<p>Veteran Kedar Jadhav helped Gaikwad add 24 runs for the second wicket and Maharashtra looked set to challenge the stiff target.</p>.<p>But Ashwin trapped Gaikwad leg-before to peg the opposition back before Sai Kishore sent back Jadhav for 13 and dented Maharashtra's progress.</p>.<p>Maharashtra remained in the hunt, thanks to some gutsy efforts by N S Shaik (22), R R Nikam (20, 17 balls, 1X6) but could not get across the line as TN bowlers held firm with Sandeep Warrier conceding only seven runs in the final over.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/manu-bhaker-6-others-to-take-part-in-inaugural-issf-presidents-cup-1047311.html" target="_blank">Manu Bhaker, 6 others to take part in inaugural ISSF President's Cup</a></strong></p>.<p>Medium-pacer T Natarajan, returning to action after an injury, finished with one for 38 from his four overs.</p>.<p>Earlier sent into bat, Tamil Nadu got off to a good start with the openers C Hari Nishaanth (27, 3X4s, 1X6) and N Jagadeesan (30, 2X4s, 1X6) putting on 50 for the first wicket.</p>.<p>However, it was young B Sai Sudarshan (35, 19 balls, 5X4s), who provided the much-needed thrust with an aggressive knock before skipper Vijay Shankar ensured a strong finish with a powerful 21-ball 42 (5X4s, 1X6).</p>.<p>Tamil Nadu coach M Venkataramana said it was a good win and the batsmen managed well after being sent in to bat.</p>.<p>"In the second half, Ruturaj was taking match away from us. Good comeback in the field by our bowlers. M Ashwin bowled well to get two wickets and got us the breakthrough," he told PTI reflecting the team's performance.</p>.<p><strong>Brief Scores:</strong></p>.<p>Tamil Nadu 167 for 4 in 20 overs (Vijay Shankar 42, B Sai Sudarshan 35, N Jagadeesan 30, SS Bachhav 2/35) beat Maharasthra 155 for 6 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 51, N S Shaikh 33, M Ashwin 2/18) by 12 runs. TN: 4 points, Maharashtra: 0.</p>.<p>Pondicherry 106 all out in 19.5 overs (Sagar Trivedi 44, Marimuthu 25, Siddarth Kaul 3/6, Abhishek Sharma 3/7) lost to Punjab 107 for 2 in 12.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 54 not out, Gurkeerat Singh Mann 24 not out) by eight wickets. Punjab: 4 points, Puducherry: 0.</p>.<p>Goa 104 for 8 in 20 overs (Shubam Ranjane 32, Jayanta Behera 3/14, Bikash Rout 3/27) lost to Odisha 107 for 6 in 19.5 overs (Anshy Rath 29, Govinda Poddar 24, Lakshay Garg 2/11) by four wickets. Odisha: 4 points, Goa: 0.</p>.<p><strong>Check out the latest videos from <i data-stringify-type="italic">DH</i>:</strong></p>