Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's renowned off-spin wizard, showcased his exceptional batting prowess in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024. Leading the Dindigul Dragons as captain, Ashwin played a pivotal role in his team's victory over the Chepauk Super Gillies in the Eliminator.Chasing a modest target of 159 in 20 overs, the Dragons lost an early wicket. However, Ashwin, batting at number three, displayed his versatility with a blistering knock. He started cautiously, but soon unleashed his power, smashing the fourth ball he faced for a towering six.Ashwin's innings was a symphony of power and precision. He struck four more sixes and four boundaries, amassing 57 runs off just 35 deliveries. His aggressive approach kept the Dragons in the hunt, and his dismissal in the 14th over did little to dampen their spirits.Inspired by Ashwin's heroics, the Dragons rallied to victory with one ball to spare and four wickets in hand. Ashwin's match-winning performance earned him the Man of the Match award.Ashwin's batting exploits in the TNPL 2024 are a testament to his all-round abilities. Despite being primarily known for his bowling prowess, he has consistently demonstrated his batting prowess in various formats. In Test cricket, he boasts five centuries and 14 half-centuries, while in ODIs, he has scored a fifty.The Dragons will now face IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in Qualifier 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. Ashwin's leadership and batting prowess will be crucial as the Dragons aim to secure a berth in the final.

In a thrilling encounter at the Salem Cricket Foundation ground, Nellai Royal Kings emerged victorious over Chepauk Super Gillies in the eighth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). With just three wickets and a ball to spare, Nellai Royal Kings chased down a challenging target of 167, thanks to a valiant effort from left-hander Nidhish Rajagopal.Rajagopal's unbeaten 53 off 35 deliveries proved to be the match-winner. His innings included three fours and three sixes, with the final over proving to be a nail-biting affair. Aswin Crist, the Chepauk Super Gillies medium-pacer, bowled a series of slower balls, but Rajagopal dispatched them with ease, hitting a straight four, two sixes, and a four to seal the victory.Nellai Royal Kings' chase was set up by opener Mokit Hariharan's 52 off 38 balls, which included five fours and a six. G. Ajitesh also contributed with a quickfire 30 off 14 deliveries, including four fours and a six.Earlier, Chepauk Super Gillies had posted a competitive 166 for six, thanks to opener N. Jagadeesan's unbeaten 63 off 46 balls. Jagadeesan, known for his aggressive batting, played a more measured innings, hitting three fours and three sixes.In the second match of the day, Lyca Kovai Kings defeated iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans by a narrow margin of one run. M. Shahrukh Khan was the star for Kovai Kings, scoring a blistering 55 off 32 balls, including four fours and four sixes.Tushar Raheja's adhesive knock of 81 off 57 balls held Tiruppur Tamizhans' innings together, but his dismissal in the penultimate over proved costly. With six runs needed off four balls, Raheja holed out to long off, leaving Ajith Ram to face the final delivery. Ram edged the ball to third man for a four, but missed the last ball and set off for a single, only to be run out by the keeper.

Lyca Kovai Kings emerged victorious in the inaugural match of the eighth season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), defeating Chepauk Super Gillies by 13 runs at the Salem Cricket Foundation (SCF) ground.B. Sachin, the Kovai Kings' top-scorer, played a crucial role in their victory, amassing 63 runs off 53 deliveries, including eight boundaries. His innings helped the Kings post a competitive total of 141 for seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs.Chasing a target of 142, the Super Gillies made a promising start, with skipper B. Aparajith and N. Jagadeesan putting on a 56-run partnership for the second wicket. However, the introduction of medium-pacer M. Mohammed proved to be a turning point. Mohammed dismissed Jagadeesan and Aparajith in quick succession, leaving the Super Gillies reeling at 72 for three.Despite a valiant effort from Pradosh Ranjan Paul, who scored 40 runs off 32 deliveries, the Super Gillies were unable to maintain the required run rate. Mohammed's impressive bowling in the final over, where he successfully defended 18 runs, sealed the victory for the Kovai Kings.Earlier, after Aparajith opted to bowl first, medium-pacer Abhishek Tanwar made an immediate impact for the Super Gillies, dismissing J. Suresh Kumar and S. Sujay in his first two overs. Pradosh's throw from midwicket caught Shahrukh Khan short at the non-striker's end, leaving the Kovai Kings struggling at 34 for three after the PowerPlay.However, Sachin and U. Mukilesh (31 runs off 25 deliveries) steadied the Kovai Kings' innings with a 64-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sachin's aggressive batting, including a six over deep midwicket, kept the scoreboard ticking.In the end, the Kovai Kings' total proved to be just enough to secure the victory, as the Super Gillies fell short by 13 runs.