Dindigul Dragons defeat iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in TNPL Season 10 opener

Dindigul Dragons beat iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans at the NPR College Ground in the Tamil Nadu Premier League Season 10 opener on Tuesday, bowling the Tamizhans out for 107 and completing the chase by seven wickets with nine deliveries remaining.

After B. Indrajith invited the opposition to bat, Tamizhans' top four — Amith Sathvik, Tushar Raheja, captain R. Sai Kishore and Pradosh Ranjan Paul — were all dismissed inside the PowerPlay while attempting aerial shots. The visitors repeatedly tried to clear the boundary early, an approach that left them exposed and contributed to their collapse.

Pacer P. Bhuvaneswaran produced the game's pivotal bowling spell, finishing with three for 32 after conceding 21 runs off the first five balls of the match, 20 of which came off Amith Sathvik. Amith's eventual dismissal came when a lofted attempt found the deep fine-leg fielder; Pradosh was caught at first slip and Sai Kishore was held at cover by Nirankar Sharma.

Debutants also played a key part in Dindigul's bowling performance — Nirankar Sharma, a leg-spinner, returned figures of three for 21 in his maiden appearance in the tournament, while pacer Sakthi Karuppasamy claimed two for 18.

With no significant scoreboard pressure, Dindigul pursued the target with controlled batting, anchored by opener Anuraag Nair (34) and R. Vimal Khumar, who remained unbeaten on 33. The formal scoreline read: iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans 107 in 15.4 overs (P. Bhuvaneswaran 3/32, Nirankar Sharma 3/21, Sakthi Karuppasamy 2/18) lost to Dindigul Dragons 111/3 in 18.3 overs (Anuraag Nair 34, R. Vimal Khumar 33 n.o.).

Wednesday’s scheduled matches are Trichy Grand Cholas vs. Madurai Panthers at 3.30 p.m. and Chepauk Super Gillies vs. Nellai Royal Kings at 7.30 p.m.