Dindigul Dragons bowled out defending champion iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans for 107 before cruising home with seven wickets and nine balls to spare in the TNPL Season 10 opener.
Dindigul Dragons made a statement in the Tamil Nadu Premier League Season 10 opener, bundling out reigning champion iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans for a mere 107 before chasing down the target with seven wickets and nine deliveries to spare at the NPR College Ground.
After skipper B. Indrajith won the toss and chose to bowl, Tiruppur's top order fell into trouble by opting for aggressive, aerial shots without needing to. Each of the top four batters — Amith Sathvik, Tushar Raheja, captain R. Sai Kishore, and Pradosh Ranjan Paul — were dismissed inside the PowerPlay.
Pacer P. Bhuvaneswaran, who was smashed for 21 runs off the first five balls of the match (20 of them from Amith Sathvik's bat), fought back to finish with figures of 3 for 32. Amith Sathvik was eventually caught at deep fine-leg, Pradosh Ranjan Paul miscued to first slip, and Sai Kishore was caught by Nirankar Sharma at cover.
Debutants also made their mark for Dindigul: leg-spinner Nirankar Sharma took 3 for 21 in his maiden TNPL appearance, while pacer Sakthi Karuppasamy claimed 2 for 18.
Chasing 108 with no scoreboard pressure, Dindigul Dragons cruised home thanks to a measured approach led by opener Anuraag Nair (34) and No. 4 batter R. Vimal Khumar, who remained unbeaten on 33.
The scores: iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans 107 all out in 15.4 overs (P. Bhuvaneswaran 3/32, Nirankar Sharma 3/21, Sakthi Karuppasamy 2/18) lost to Dindigul Dragons 111/3 in 18.3 overs (Anuraag Nair 34, R. Vimal Khumar 33 n.o.).
Wednesday's TNPL fixtures see Trichy Grand Cholas face Madurai Panthers at 3.30 p.m., followed by Chepauk Super Gillies taking on Nellai Royal Kings at 7.30 p.m.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Cricket. Photo courtesy The Hindu Cricket.