In fact, the only other time it lost its opening match was in the 2016 season, to Tuti Patriots which finished as inaugural winner. Gillies was runners-up that year.

When Gillies takes on Karaikudi Kaalai at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, it will be a must-win game for the south Chennai side that is coached by former India player Hemang Badani.

Five wins seal a spot in the Playoffs in the eight-team competition where the top four teams make it to the Playoffs.

Kaalai, on the other hand, lost its first match in the competition via a thrilling Super Over to Kovai Kings but bounced back with a comprehensive win over VB Kanchi Veerans.

Veteran pacer C Ganapathy pulled off a sensational all-round show as Ruby Trichy Warriors handed Gillies its first defeat.

Subsequently, Gillies was at the receiving end of a stellar show by Madurai Panthers which recorded its first-ever win in the competition.

On the eve of its all-important clash against Karaikudi Kaalai, Super Gillies coach, Badani said all-rounder Vijay Shankar will not be available and that his team hasn’t played up to its potential.

“I don’t think Vijay is playing the next game. He still isn’t available, he isn’t back yet from England. Both the previous games were different – the wicket here (in the first match) was conducive to batting, Tirunelveli was a little slower. 

 We will have to play better cricket, it’s as simple as that... we haven’t played to our potential. Once we step up and play better cricket, we’ll be okay,” said the 41-year-old.

Badani felt leg-spinner M Ashwin wasn’t being utilised in the way he should be. “To me he is a strike bowler, a wicket-taking bowler. My mindset with him is to get me wickets, my frontline bowler... he has played at a high level, can handle pressure, can bowl in Powerplay and in the death overs. 

He is not a defensive option to us.” The former India batsman hoped his top-order will make the best use of the Powerplay overs. 

“We are yet to exploit Powerplay, which some of the other sides have done, they have got a minimum of 45-50  runs which we haven’t done. It’s an area that we need to get better at, one of them will have to strike at the top,” analysed Badani.