Shivam Singh’s unbeaten half-century (82 n.o., 50b, 5×4, 5×6) powered Dindigul Dragons to a convincing seven-wicket win over Lyca Kovai Kings within the opening match of TNPL-9 on the Sri Ramakrishna College floor right here on Thursday.
Chasing a average goal of 150, opener Shivam began cautiously earlier than seamlessly switching gears and delivering some lusty blows.
Shivam, who was dropped on one, discovered ready assist from R. Vimal Khumar because the duo added 64 runs for the second wicket. The opener lower, swept and pulled en route his half-century. Once he crossed 50, he lower free and closed out the sport in fashion by smashing pacer Govinth for consecutive sixes because the defending champion romped dwelling with 16 balls to spare.
Earlier, Dragons’ skipper R. Ashwin opted to discipline first, and his bowlers backed up the choice with a disciplined effort to prohibit Kovai Kings to 149 for eight. Only B. Sachin put up a struggle for the house workforce, scoring 51.
The openers lacked intent and struggled to rating boundaries in opposition to Ashwin and pacer Sandeep
Warrier.
Sachin and Andre Siddarth then got here collectively for a 62-run alliance for the third wicket to set a platform for the Kings. Sachin was the aggressor within the partnership and was robust off the backfoot, focusing on the sq. area behind the wicket on the off-side.
However, a mix-up between the duo meant Andre was run out within the thirteenth over. From there, the Dragons struck at common intervals to prohibit the two-time champion to a below-par whole and kickstart its title defence on the suitable observe.
The scores: Lyca Kovai Kings 149/8 in 20 overs (B. Sachin 51, Warrier 2/27, Ashwin 2/33, Periyasamy 2/30) misplaced to Dindigul Dragons 154/3 in 17.2 overs (Shivam Singh 82 n.o., Shahrukh Khan 2/26).
Friday’s match: IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Chepauk Super Gillies (7.15 p.m.).
Published – June 05, 2025 11:21 pm IST
