TNPL 2022 | Skipper Nishaanth powers Dindigul Dragons to a 5-wicket win over Kovai Kings

Skipper Hari Nishaanth played a brilliant half-century knock, laced with 7 fours and 2 maximums, as Dindigul Dragons pulled off a 5-wicket victory over Lyca Kovai Kings in the 5th match of the TNPL 2022 on Sunday, June 26.

Chasing a daunting target of 189, Dindigul Dragons looked cruising to victory as their openers Vishal Vaidhya (49 off 40), and Hari Nishaanth (60 off 36) took the opposition bowlers to cleaners, putting up a 100-run partnership for the first wicket off just 72 balls.  

However, the duo fell in successive overs, leaving DD reeling at 3-122. Rajendran Vivek then played a quick and valuable knock of 10-ball 22 before Ganga Pradeep (24 off 27) shifted gears and joined hands with Satish Monish (11 off 6) to help their side overwhelm the target in 19.2 overs and clinch their first victory of the season.

For LKK, skipper Shahrukh Khan and R Divakar picked two wickets each. Earlier, Lyca Kovai Kings, after putting to bat first posted a stiff total of 188/8 against Dindigul Dragons. Their innings were powered by a startling opening partnership between Ganga Sridhar Raju (28-ball 33) and J Suresh Kumar (24-ball 37). 

U Mukilesh top-scored for Kovai Kings with 25-ball 49, while Shijit Chandran and skipper Shahrukh Khan chipped in with 30 and 19 runs respectively. 

Meanwhile, Rajendran Vivek shined with the ball for Dindigul Dragons, snapping a three-wicket haul, followed by Rangaraj Suthesh and M Silambarasan, who picked two wickets each. 

Following their 5-wicket win on Sunday, Dindigul Dragons moved up in the points table while Lyca Kovai Kings are reeling at the seventh spot of the points table. The Shahrukh Khan-led side will next take the field against the Siechem Madurai Panthers on June 30. 

Brief Scores:

Lyca Kovai Kings: 188/8 (20)

U Mukilesh 49(25), Suresh Kumar 37(24); Rajendran Vivek 3-35 (4), M Silambarasan 2-22 (4) 

Dindigul Dragons: 190/5 (19.2) 

Vishal Vaidhya 49(40), Hari Nishaanth 60(36); Shahrukh Khan 2-35 (4), R Divakar 2-39 (3.3)

Dindigul Dragons won by 5 wickets.