A 110-run win, a third consecutive victory and a match in which the skipper’s 98-run stand goes in vain as his team lost. The state’s glitzy T20 tournament Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) has begun heating up with close contests between teams and some massive upsets on the way to the knockout stage. In the last seven days, the eight teams in the league have played nine matches between them and here’s a wrap of some of the most interesting matches we spotted.
Kanchi Veerans vs Karaikudi Kaalai – July 24
Kanchi Veerans defeated Karaikudi Kaalai (KK) by a massive 110-run margin on Wednesday. The match, which was played in Dindigul, was primarily steered by Kanchi Veerans’ star players Sanjay Yadav and R Sathish.
While Yadav scored 95 runs off 60 balls, slamming seven fours and six sixes besides taking one wicket, Sathish derailed KK’s plans by dismissing four batsmen. Sathish returned with figures of four for 17 in four overs, his best display in the tournament so far.
Kanchi Veerans posted a total of 177 runs in 20 overs and bowled Karaikudi Kaalai out for 67 runs in 14.4 overs to register a comfortable win.
Tuti Patriots vs Dindigul Dragons – July 27
Dindigul Dragons (DD) registered their third straight win in the tournament in Tirunelveli on Saturday as they defeated Tuti Patriots by 40 runs.
N Jagadeesan (53) and R Ashwin’s explosive innings (52 off 28 balls) helped Dindigul Dragons set a target of 174. In response, the Tuti Patriots innings never got going courtesy some tight bowling by DD bowlers who picked up five quick wickets in six overs. Though tailenders SP Nathan and Ganesh Moorthi fought hard for the Patriots by scoring 38 (not out) and 35 respectively, it wasn’t enough for Tuti Patriots to cross the finishing line.
Dindigul Dragons vs Karaikudi Kaalai – July 29
Monday’s match in Tirunelveli was a show of contrasting fortunes. On one hand was Karaikudi Kaalai captain Aniruda, whose brave knock of 98 runs went in vain as his team lost the game. On the other, Dindigul Dragons’ openers scripted history in TNPL by recording a match-winning partnership of 161 runs.
Karaikudi Kaalai set a target of 159 for Dindigul Dragons to chase as Aniruda Srikkanth scored a fine knock of 98. Aniruda was particularly severe on DD bowlers R Ashwin and M Mohammed, who together gave away 58 runs. However, DD’s opening pair – Hari Nishaanth (81) and N Jagadeesan (78 not out) – blitzed their way helped by some patchy fielding to build a historic partnership of 161 runs. This mainly helped the Dragons chase the target and thereby win their fourth consecutive match in the tournament.
The Dragons are on top of the points table and are the only unbeaten team so far in this year’s edition of TNPL.