The Gwalior innings began with a mixture of caution and intent. After losing an early wicket, the responsibility shifted onto the shoulders of the top order, and they responded steadily. Anil Velappan looked composed at the crease, working the gaps and striking boundaries whenever bowlers erred. His 32 off 25 balls, with three fours and two sixes, provided the platform the Knights badly needed. Alongside him, Nidheesh Raju’s 30 from 24 balls carried equal importance, as he managed the tempo smartly through singles and well-placed shots to the fence. For much of the innings, the scoreboard ticked steadily rather than spectacularly, and it required a burst of acceleration in the final overs to push the total into commanding territory.

That injection came courtesy of Shiyad Meleveetill, whose whirlwind 28 off 12 balls lit up the evening. With two fours and two sixes, Shiyad’s cameo ensured the momentum swung back to Gwalior just as Chennai sensed control. The middle and lower order chipped in with brief cameos to lift the total to 148 for 7. It was not an imposing score, but in the conditions, it looked competitive. For Chennai, CTK Mashood was the standout, picking up 4 for 23 with his sharp pace and impeccable control. His wickets at crucial junctures kept Gwalior from running away with the game, but with little support from his fellow bowlers, the target grew into a tricky one.