Right then, that it is it from this entertaining game where Dindigul Dragons make a statement to the rest of the teams by defeating Lyca Kovai Kings who have been undefeated till now. The focus in the TNPL 2024 now shifts to the clash between Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans and Salem Spartans. That will begin in a short while and you can just switch tabs to enjoy all the build-up to the game. Cheers!
Baba Indrajith is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning knock of 96 off just 49 balls.
Lyca Kovai Kings just weren't at their best with the ball. The likes of M. Siddharth, M Mohammed, and Valliappan Yudheeswaran went for a lot. The leg spinner along with K Gowtham Thamarai Kannan were decent but those 10 overs or so proved to be way too costly. Have to say though, Lyca Kovai Kings were beaten by one man and that was Baba Indrajith. Earlier in the game, after a struggling start, they recovered really well and posted a good total on the board. Shahrukh Khan was the top batter with a smashing fifty while Atheeq Rahman provided some late fireworks. Varun Chakaravarthy was the pick of the bowlers for Dindigul Dragons. Their batters then stepped up, especially Baba Indrajith, and broke the 11-match winning streak of LKK which has been built over two seasons.
That is a terrific effort by Dindigul Dragons to be the first team to beat the Lyca Kovai Kings first time this season! The Dragons have one man to thank and that is Baba Indrajith! Have to say, he single-handedly has helped his side win the game. Most of the others struggled with the bat. Shivam Singh was in the middle for some time but he struggled to score freely. When he got out, the run rate went over 10. Baba Indrajith though batted brilliantly, he did get some decent support from Sarath Kumar C but he was the hero for his side in this game.
In over# 20
6
0
M Mohammed 24/0(2.2)
19.2
6
SIX! No, there won't be! Subodh Bhati finishes things off in style! M Mohammed serves this full and on middle, Subodh Bhati steps across to get inside the line of the ball and whips it away towards the deep mid-wicket fence, the fielder thinks he is in the game but only watches the ball sail over his head for a biggie. DINDIGUL DRAGONS WIN BY 5 WICKETS!
19.1
.
DOT BALL! Short of a length and outside off, Subodh Bhati cuts it aerially which lands just in front of point. 3 needed in 5 now! Is there another twist in the tale?
In over# 19
1
0
0W
0W
1
1
Shahrukh Khan 20/2(3)
18.6
1
Short again and around off, Subodh Bhati cuts it towards point where a fumble allows the run. Dindigul Dragons needs 3 runs in the last over.
18.5
.
No hat-trick for Shahrukh Khan! This short and on middle, Subodh Bhati nudges it to short mid-wicket.
Subodh Bhati walks out to face the hat-trick ball.
OUT! TAKEN AGAIN! TWO IN TWO! Shahrukh Khan gives this some more air, full and on middle, Ravichandran Ashwin tries to slog sweep it but does not go through his shot fully, hits it flat and in the air straight to deep mid-wicket where Sai Sudharsan makes no mistake. The LKK skipper will be on a hat-trick now!
18.4
W
OUT! TAKEN AGAIN! TWO IN TWO! Shahrukh Khan gives this some more air, full and on middle, Ravichandran Ashwin tries to slog sweep it but does not go through his shot fully, hits it flat and in the air straight to deep mid-wicket where Sai Sudharsan makes no mistake. The LKK skipper will be on a hat-trick now!
Ravichandran Ashwin comes out to the middle to a huge roar from the crowd.
OUT! TAKEN! Sarath Kumar C tries to be the hero but loses his wicket here! Flighted, full and on middle, Sarath Kumar C gets down on one knee and tries to slog it away but fails to get the elevation on that one, the ball goes high up in the air towards long on where M. Siddharth settles under it and takes it nicely. Sarath goes back after playing a crucial cameo. Dindigul Dragons still needs 4 runs to win!
18.3
W
OUT! TAKEN! Sarath Kumar C tries to be the hero but loses his wicket here! Flighted, full and on middle, Sarath Kumar C gets down on one knee and tries to slog it away but fails to get the elevation on that one, the ball goes high up in the air towards long on where M. Siddharth settles under it and takes it nicely. Sarath goes back after playing a crucial cameo. Dindigul Dragons still needs 4 runs to win!
18.2
1
Short and around off, Baba Indrajith slaps it on the bounce to long off for a run.
18.1
1
Tossed up, full and on middle, Sarath Kumar C swipes it to deep square leg for a single.