The Dindigul Dragons secured a comfortable eight-wicket victory over IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in a rain-curtailed TNPL match at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 109 runs, the Dragons faced a slight hurdle at 35 for two in the sixth over before M. Boopathi Vaishna Kumar took charge.
Boopathi’s counter-attacking unbeaten half-century (51 n.o., 25b, 1×4, 5×6) proved pivotal in guiding the Dragons to victory. He received valuable support from the experienced B. Indrajith (31 n.o.) as the duo formed an unbroken 75-run partnership for the third wicket. The diminutive left-handed batter shifted the momentum in his team’s favor, taking on R. Sai Kishore in the eighth over. He lofted the left-arm spinner over covers for a four and a six off the backfoot, utilizing the depth of the crease to his advantage.
In the next over, Boopathi further amplified the pressure by flicking T. Natarajan for his third six of the innings, bringing the equation down to almost run-a-ball. He fittingly ended the match in style, sweeping Sai Kishore for consecutive sixes and also achieved his maiden half-century in the TNPL.
Earlier, a 71-run opening partnership between S. Radhakrishnan (36) and Tushar Raheja (32) provided a solid foundation for the Tamizhans, reaching 108 for four. After a cautious start, Radhakrishnan found his rhythm, driving Sandeep Warrier for a couple of boundaries to get the innings going. He then escalated the tempo, hitting R. Ashwin for two sixes before the off-spinner had him caught-and-bowled with a carrom ball.
Pacer Subodh Bhati (three for 14) played a significant role in containing the Tamizhans, taking two wickets in the tenth over and being awarded the Player of the Match. His impressive performance helped the Dragons gain control of the match, ultimately securing a comfortable victory.
