[Watch] Dindigul Dragons' Sarath Kumar smashes match-winning 6 off Shahrukh Khan in TNPL 2024 final against Lyca Kovai Kings
Dindigul Dragons hammered Lyca Kovai Kings by six wickets in the final of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, August 4 to lift their maiden title in the T20 league. Bowling first after winning the toss, Dindigul Dragons held Lyca Kovai Kings to 129-7. They then chased down the target in 18.2 overs.
For Dindigul Dragons, Sandeep Warrier, Varun Chakravarthy and P Vignesh claimed two wickets. Ram Arvindh top-scored for Lyca Kovai Kings with 27 off 26, while Atheeq Ur Rahman hit 25 off 17 and opener S Sujay 22 of 12.
In the chase, Dindigul Dragons eased past the finish line. Openers Vimal Khumar and Shivam Singh fell cheaply. However, skipper Ravichandran Ashwin (52 off 46) once again led from the front, while Baba Indrajith (32 off 35) and C Sarath Kumar (27* off 15) also made crucial contributions. It was Sarath Kumar who hit the winning runs in the 19th over.
Watch video below
The second ball of the penultimate over was a tossed-up delivery from Lyca Kovai Kings skipper Shahrukh Khan. Sarath Kumar came down the track and lofted the ball over long-on, clearing the field with ease and setting off celebrations in the Dindigul Dragons camp.
Dindigul Dragons captain Ashwin was named Player of the Match for his fantastic knock in TNPL 2024 final
While Dindigul Dragons won the TNPL 2024 title, there was individual glory for their skipper Ashwin. He was named Player of the Match for his fantastic all-round performance. Ashwin struck one four and a six in his half-century. Before that, he registered excellent figures of 0-13 from his four overs.
Overall, the 37-year-old smashed 252 runs in nine innings at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 151.81. With the ball, he claimed nine wickets at an average of 27.5 and an economy rate of 6.92.
Ashwin was brilliant with the willow in the business end of the tournament. Before his half-century in the final, he struck 69* off 30 in Qualifier 2 against IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans and 57 off 35 in the Eliminator against Chepauk Super Gillies. With the ball, he claimed 3-18 against Trichy Grand Cholas in Salem and two wickets each in games against Siechem Madurai Panthers and Nellai Royal Kings.