TNPL 3, Match 2 Review: N Jagadeesan Dindigul Dragons to first win

The Dindigul spinners scripted a solid comeback with exceptional control and combined to produce figures of 4/55 in their eight overs (R Ashwin 3/25, M Abhinav 1/30).

Published - 14 Jul 2018, 14:16 IST | Updated - 14 Jul 2018, 14:16 IST

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Dindigul Dragons defeated Siechem Madurai Panthers by nine wickets in the second match of the 2018 Sankar Cement-TNPL at the ICL Sankar Nagar ground in Tirunelveli on Friday. After a strong performance from Dindigul spinners, Narayan Jagadeesan scored a brilliant 68 not out to take the team home.

Chasing 170 for victory, Dindigul enjoyed a sterling start with Hari Nishaanth playing a cameo of 28. The other opener Jagadeesan guided the chase from one end. He found gaps in the offside field with surgical precision as reflected in his 11 boundaries.

The hero of Dragon’s chase tonight was R Vivek. Batting at No 3, he was in a lethal mood and smashed the bowlers without mercy. He finished unbeaten 70 from 33 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Jagadeesan and Vivek added 125 for the unfinished second wicket.

Vivek fittingly ended the match with a boundary. Panthers’ bowling and fielding effort tonight was not upto the mark with only debutant mystery spinner Varun Chakravathi making a positive impression.

Earlier, Panthers’ captain Rohit Damodaren won the toss and elected to bat first. The team got off to a flying start courtesy of the pair of KB Arun Karthik and Damodaren. The duo put on 50 runs in just 26 balls but lost momentum after their captain was clean bowled in the sixth over.

The Dindigul spinners scripted a solid comeback with exceptional control and combined to produce figures of 4/55 in their eight overs (R Ashwin 3/25, M Abhinav 1/30).

For Panthers, Arun Karthik was in his elements and was severe on the short balls. His innings of 61 (44b, 6×4,2×6) kept the Panthers in the hunt. Late blows from Shijit Chandran and the last ball six from J Kousik took Madurai team to the final score of 169/6.

Dindigul Dragons next play Lyca Kovai Kings on 18th July (Wednesday) at the NPR College Ground, Dindigul. Panthers will take on defending champions Chepauk Super Gillies in Tirunelveli on 16th July (Monday).

Brief scores:

Siechem Madurai Panthers 169/6 in 20 overs (KB Arun Karthik 61, 44b, 6×4,2×6, Shijit Chandran 35, 20b, 3×4,1×6; R Ashwin 3/25, R Rohit 1/27) lost to Dindigul Dragons 170/1 in overs (Vivek R 70*, 33b, 8×4, 3×6, N Jagadeesan 68*, 42b, 11×4, 1×6, Kiran Aakash 1/35) by 9 wickets.