Dindigul Dragons began their Tamil Nadu Premier League Season 10 campaign with a seven-wicket win over iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans at the NPR College Ground on Tuesday.
After choosing to bowl first, the Dragons dismissed the reigning champion for 107. They then reached the target with nine deliveries remaining, using a steady chase built around Anuraag Nair and R. Vimal Khumar.
Tamizhans lose early wickets in PowerPlay
The Tamizhans’ innings started brightly but quickly lost shape. Amith Sathvik struck 20 runs off P. Bhuvaneswaran in the first five balls of the match, with the over producing 21 runs. The early burst did not last.
Bhuvaneswaran responded by removing Amith when the opener attempted another attacking shot and was caught at deep fine-leg. That wicket changed the rhythm of the innings. Tiruppur’s top order kept looking for aerial strokes, and the Dragons made them pay.
Each of the Tamizhans’ top four batters, Amith, Tushar Raheja, captain R. Sai Kishore and Pradosh Ranjan Paul, was dismissed inside the PowerPlay. Pradosh miscued one to first slip, while Sai Kishore offered a catch to Nirankar Sharma at cover.
The early damage left the Tamizhans with little room to rebuild. Their approach remained risky, and Dindigul’s bowlers kept the pressure on with regular wickets.
Bhuvaneswaran and debutants lead the bowling effort
Bhuvaneswaran finished with three wickets for 32 runs, a strong comeback after the expensive start to his spell. His early breakthroughs helped the Dragons move past the opening-over setback and take control of the innings.
Two debutants also made an immediate impact. Leg-spinner Nirankar Sharma took three for 21 in his first appearance in the tournament. Pacer Sakthi Karuppasamy supported well with two for 18.
Together, the bowling group ensured that Tiruppur never settled after the PowerPlay. The total of 107 left Dindigul with a chase that did not demand hurry, provided the batters avoided a similar collapse.
Measured chase from Dindigul
The Dragons approached the chase with control. Anuraag Nair opened the innings and made 34, giving the side a stable base. At No. 4, R. Vimal Khumar stayed unbeaten on 33 and guided the innings through its later stages.
Dindigul did lose three wickets, but the required rate was never allowed to become a concern. The batters worked within the situation after their bowlers had already done the main work.
The result gave Dindigul Dragons a clean start to the season. For Tiruppur Tamizhans, the defeat came down to the batting PowerPlay, where aggressive shot selection brought quick wickets and left the side defending a modest score.
Source: The Hindu Cricket.