Indrajith’s 73 leads Dindigul Dragons to 81-run win over SKM Salem Spartans

Dindigul Dragons captain B. Indrajith scored 73 off 25 balls to steer the Dragons to an 81-run victory over SKM Salem Spartans in a 15-over Tamil Nadu Premier League match at the NPR College ground in Dindigul on Friday. Persistent rain delayed the start before play resumed.

Rain interruptions postponed the start, but once the match began the Dragons quickly seized control with an aggressive batting display. The contest was reduced to 15 overs a side and played out at the NPR College ground, where the Spartans were unable to recover after the early onslaught.

Openers Shivam Singh (38) and V.K. Vineeth (45) tore into the bowling, taking the score to 70 inside four overs; Vineeth was later run out and debutant E. Krish was dismissed for a golden duck. Those early strikes briefly checked the scoring but left the Spartans under pressure as the Dragons maintained a high run rate.

Vimal Khumar (35, 17b, 1x4, 3x6) and Indrajith combined for a 62-run partnership off 24 balls for the fourth wicket, accelerating the innings further. Indrajith then joined Hunny Saini (29, 10b, 2x4, 3x6) to continue the assault, including a 13th over from M. Poiyamozhi that yielded 32 runs featuring four sixes and a four.

The aggression carried into the following over against Uday Kumar, with the pair clearing the ropes four more times as the Dragons finished on 239/6 in 15 overs. Karthick Manikandan returned figures of 2/14 and R. Vivek took 3/22 for the Dragons during the contest.

SKM Salem Spartans were restricted to 158/8 in their 15 overs, S. Abishiek top-scoring with 38 for the visitors while M. Viju Arul recorded bowling figures of 3/29. The margin reflected the one-sided nature of the chase after the Dragons posted the imposing total.

In the second match, Mokit Hariharan struck his maiden TNPL century, scoring 108 off 50 balls (4x4, 10x6) and shared a record 169-run opening partnership with Chepauk Super Gillies captain N. Jagadeesan (79) as Chepauk made 240/2 in 20 overs; Swapnil Singh finished 42 not out and G. Periyasamy took 2/33. Madurai Panthers replied with 201/8 in 20 overs, V. Hari Ragavendra making 98 (55b, 9x4, 6x6) on debut, but his effort was not enough; Swapnil Singh took 2/17 and J. Prem Kumar 2/28 for the winners.

Saturday’s scheduled fixture is Vida Kovai Kings vs. Trichy Grand Cholas at 7.30 p.m.