Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Dindigul Dragons’ skipper Ravichandran Ashwin who was a part of Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025, displayed his all-round brilliance against Trichy Grand Cholas and guided his team to a convincing six-wicket victory in the Eliminator of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025. Winning the toss, Dragons’ skipper Ashwin invited Trichy to bat first. Trichy got a lethargic start as their batters struggled to counter Dindigul’s disciplined bowling. Dragons’ spin-bowling unit looked exceptional and took eight wickets. Ashwin spearheaded Dindigul’s spin attack from the front and bagged three wickets. He was assisted by Varun Chakaravarthy, who also scalped a couple of wickets. Shashidharan R also got rid of the Trichy’s skipper Suresh Kumar.
Eventually, Trichy could post only 140/9 in their 20 overs. Chasing the target, Dindigul captain Ashwin came to open with Shivam Singh. Ashwin came heavily on the bowlers and helped his side accumulate runs at a brisk pace within the first powerplay. Shivam departed in the fifth over of the innings after scoring only 16 off 11 but the veteran looked unfazed and thrashed bowlers ruthlessly. In the 15th over, he departed after notching up 83 off 48 but his team was then in a commanding position. The 38-year-old’s knock was studded with 14 boundaries (11 fours and three maximums). This innings was his sixth TNPL fifty and also the best knock of his league career.
Dindigul Dragons chased down the target in 16.4 overs
After Ashwin’s fall, Dindigul completed the chase in 16.4 overs. Baba Indrajith remained unbeaten until the end and took his team home with six wickets in hand. Ashwin’s excellence (3/28 in four overs and 83 off 48) also made him the Player of the Match (POTM).
Dragons’ next clash is against Chepauk Super Gillies, who ended their round-robin stage as table toppers, winning all seven matches. However, in the first Qualifier, they faced a 79-run hammering at the hands of Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans.
