NEWS
Follow UsDindigul Dragons defeated IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans by eight wickets to put an end to their two-match losing streak in Shriram Capital TNPL 2024.
Having lost a 7-over-a-side contest against Chepauk Super Gillies earlier, Dindigul Dragons found themselves in yet another rain-shortened match, reduced to 13 overs per side. Winning the toss, they opted to bowl first.
Tiruppur openers S Radhakrishnan and Tushar Raheja made a solid start to their innings with a 71-run stand. Radhakrishnan departed after 30-ball 36. Tushar had a stroke of luck, surviving being caught off a no-ball and benefiting from a dropped catch. He eventually departed at 26-ball 32 runs. In the end, a brisk 28* off 15 runs from Amit Sathvik guided Tiruppur to a competitive 108 runs in their 13 overs.
Subodh Bhati made crucial breakthroughs for Dindigul in the middle overs and was the pick of the bowler for the team. After dismissing Radhakrishnan and Ganesh early in his spell, he gave away just four runs in the final over of the game, finishing his quota of 3 overs with 3/14.
Chasing 109 to win from 13 overs, the Dindigul batters had little time to settle and had to play aggressively from the outset. Dindigul Dragons opted for Vimal Khumar and Shivam Singh as their opening pair today. However, that move did not work, as both the openers departed within six overs.
Following the early dismissals of the openers, Boopathi Vaishna Kumar took charge with an aggressive approach, scoring a rapid 51*(25) runs to accelerate the run chase. Meanwhile, in his 50th TNPL appearance, Baba Indrajith played a crucial role, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 31 runs. The experienced batter also surpassed 1000 TNPL career runs during his knock. The duo's unbeaten 75-run stand guided the team over the line. After a comfortable eight-wicket victory, Dindigul Dragons moves up in the points table to fifth spot.
Talking about the loss, IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans captain Sai Kishore said: We thought this was a good score at this venue, but our bowlers could not defend it. I think the seniors, including me, should be taking more responsibility. I always enjoyed playing at Coimbatore, and I'm now looking forward to playing in Tirunelveli.
The player of the match, Subodh Bhati, said: I'm feeling good to be back after sitting out in initial matches. I did not try anything special and followed the batter. It worked well.
The winning captain, Ravichandran Ashwin, said: It is a big relief after two losses. This win will boost the team's confidence. I told everyone before the start of the season that Boopathi is a raw talent and has come a long way. He is a special player. Also, thanks to the Coimbatore crowd for the support.
Dindigul Dragons' opener Shivam Singh said: It feels good to end the Coimbatore leg with a win. We will look to carry the momentum to the next leg as well.
IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans' R Rohit said: We have to work on the basics, and I feel like the team is pretty much set now, as most of the players we have are experienced enough to turn things around.
Brief scores: Dindigul 111/2 in 11.5 overs (Boopathi Kumar 51*, Baba Indrajith 31*, P Bhuvaneswaran 1/15) beat Tiruppur 108/4 in 13 (S Radhakrishnan 36, Tushar Raheja 32, Suboth Bhati 3/14) by 8 wickets
Player of the Match: Suboth Bhati
