TNPL | Lokesh Raj’s five-wicket haul clinches a thriller for Super Gillies

Lokesh Raj, third left, is the toast of his teammates.
| Photo Credit: E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN

Four-time champion Chepauk Super Gillies edged defending champion Dindigul Dragons by a slender eight-run margin, because of pacer T. D. Lokesh Raj’s gorgeous 5 for 13 in a gripping TNPL conflict on the Salem Cricket Foundation floor right here on Monday.

Chasing 181, Dindigul openers Shivam Singh and skipper R. Ashwin started with intent as the previous smashed two fours off pacer Abhishek Tanwar.

However, left-arm spinner M. Silambarasan broke the opening stand, dismissing Shivam for 13.

B. Indrajith then joined his captain, and the pair stored the scoreboard ticking throughout the center section. They smashed 14 runs off left-arm spinner Swapnil Singh within the twelfth over as Super Gillies regarded clueless.

Indrajith then took on Vijay Shankar, smashing two maximums within the sixteenth over, which yielded 19 runs. However, Abhishek returned to dismiss Ashwin and break the 102-run second-wicket partnership, whereas Lokesh Raj’s triple strike within the 18th over, together with the important thing wicket of Indrajith, introduced Super Gillies again into the competition.

With 12 wanted off the ultimate over, Lokes held his nerve as he eliminated Aakash Sharma and Varun Chakaravarthy to finish his five-wicket haul and seal a thrilling win for his facet.

Earlier, after being requested to bat following a 20-minute rain delay, Super Gillies had been diminished to twenty for two because the openers perished cheaply.

B. Aparajith started his innings in model with a boundary. Aparajith and N. Jagadeesan tried to rebuild the innings, however Varun Chakaravarthy’s introduction broke the stand as he dismissed the previous. Vijay Shankar adopted with a few lusty blows, however Varun struck once more to finish the 50-run partnership.

Swapnil took on Ashwin, scoring 14 in his over. However, Varun returned within the sixteenth to assert his third wicket, dismissing the well-set Aparajith. Left-arm spinner D.T. Chandrasekar then castled Swapnil earlier than a late assault from Sunil, supported by S. Dinesh Raj, added 46 runs within the closing 4 overs and helped Super Gillies submit a aggressive whole.

The scores: Chepauk Super Gillies 180/6 in 20 overs (B. Aparajith 56, Sunil Krishna 32 n.o., Varun Chakaravarthy 3/25) bt Dindigul Dragons 172/8 in 20 overs (R. Ashwin 67, B. Indrajith 73, Abhishek Tanwar 2/40, T.D. Lokesh Raj 5/13). Toss:Dragons.