Tushar Raheja’s 102 steers Tiruppur Tamizhans to seven-wicket TNPL win over Chepauk

Tushar Raheja scored 102 to lead iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans to a seven-wicket victory over Chepauk Super Gillies at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul on Friday in a Tamil Nadu Premier League match. The Tamizhans reached 206 for 3 in 18 overs, completing the chase with two overs to spare while K. Aashiq’s 98 for Chepauk went in vain.

Chepauk Super Gillies posted 205 for 8 in their 20 overs, propelled by Aashiq’s 98 off 56 balls (6x4, 7x6) in what the report describes as his ‘home venue’ appearance in front of his parents. Tushar, 25, responded with his maiden TNPL century, finishing on 102 off 52 balls (5x4, 8x6), and was ably supported by Pradosh Ranjan Paul, who remained unbeaten on 73 off 41 balls (9x4, 2x6). The pair combined for a 149-run third-wicket stand that decided the contest.

Tushar and Pradosh dominated the middle overs after an early phase, turning the match during their third-wicket partnership of 149. Tushar attacked the bowling in the third over, hitting Ashwanth Valthapa for two sixes and a four, and sealed his century with a boundary over fine leg off pacer Abhishek Tanwar.

Chepauk’s innings were anchored by Aashiq but contained contributions from others, and their bowlers included M. Vignesh, who returned figures of 3 for 31. The full match scoreboard reads: Chepauk Super Gillies 205/8 in 20 overs (K. Aashiq 98, R. Silambarasan 2/52, Mohan Prasath 2/31) lost to iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans 206/3 in 18 overs (Tushar Raheja 102, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 73 n.o., M. Vignesh 3/31).

In a noted moment, Tamizhans left-arm spinner Mohan Prasath dismissed Chepauk’s Mohana Prasath, a rare instance of nearly identical names featuring on opposite sides of a wicket.

In the night fixture, Nellai Royal Kings beat Dindigul Dragons by six wickets to record their second win on the bounce, with several contributors including skipper Sonu Yadav, cited as having figures of three for 24 and 19 n.o. Dindigul were dismissed for 170/7 in 20 overs (Anuraag Nair 35; R. Vimal Khumar 63; B. Rocky 2/33; Sonu Yadav 3/24), while Nellai reached 172/4 in 17.4 overs (Santhosh Kumar 44; G. Ajitesh 46; U. Mukilesh 43 n.o.; P. Bhuvaneswaran 2/31).

Saturday’s scheduled matches are Madurai Panthers vs. Vida Kovai Kings at 3.30 p.m. and SKM Salem Spartans vs. Trichy Grand Cholas at 7.30 p.m.