TNPL 2022: Madurai canters to seven-wicket win against Dindigul

CHENNAI: Young pacer Sunny Sandhu and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy delivered fantastic performances as Siechem Madurai Panthers thrashed Dindigul Dragons by seven wickets in the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2022 in Dindigul on Thursday.

Electing to bowl in the final match of the season at the NPR College Ground, Panthers limited Dragons to 122 for nine. Chasing just more than a run-a-ball, Madurai boosted its net run rate (NRR) by cantering to victory in 15.3 overs.

Teenager Sunny (3/11 off 4 overs) provided Panthers a dream start with a wicket maiden in the first over, which included the dismissal of the in-form Vishal Vaidhya (0). Skipper C Hari Nishaanth (24 off 26 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) and Mani Bharathy (18) were then involved in a 51-run second-wicket stand that brought Dragons back on track.

But, after Mani Bharathy made his walk back to the hut in the ninth over, the DD batters fell like a pack of cards. Dindigul did not do itself any favours as both Hari Nishaanth and Mani Bharathy were run out. While Sunny returned to the attack to remove AG Pradeep (3) and R Vivek (5), Varun (2/14 off 4 overs) accounted for lower-order batters L Vignesh (3) and M Silambarasan (0) during his economical effort.

While wickets tumbled at one end, RS Mokit Hariharan (43 not out off 31 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) held fort at the other and took the team past the 120-run mark. Joining forces at 92 for nine in the 18th over, Mokit and R Suthesh (2 not out) added 30 runs in double quick time for the unbroken final wicket, with majority coming from the former’s bat.

In response, Madurai remained in control throughout, thanks to No.3 batter B Anirudh Sitaram (51 not out off 34 balls, 9 fours) and opener KB Arun Karthick (41 off 31 balls, 7 fours), who ensured there were no hiccups.

“We were hurt by what happened in the last match (referring to the loss against Nellai Royal Kings). We wanted to come out and make a statement. Lucky to have won the toss. The wicket (pitch) was wonderful to bowl on,” said Panthers skipper NS Chaturved.

BRIEF SCORES: Dindigul Dragons 122/9 in 20 overs (RS Mokit Hariharan 43*, Sunny Sandhu 3/11, Varun Chakravarthy 2/14) lost to Siechem Madurai Panthers 126/3 in 15.3 overs (B Anirudh Sitaram 51*, KB Arun Karthick 41)