Dindigul Dragons pull off a heist, safe playoff berth

A 61-run fourth-wicket partnership (49 balls) between left-handers Maan Okay. Baafna (38, 28b, 4×4, 1×6) and Vimal Khumar (45, 31b, 4×4, 1×6), and Hunny Saini’s fiery 37 (14b, 3×4, 3×6) helped Dindigul
Dragons pull off a heist towards Nellai Royal Kings (NRK) by 4 wickets and safe a playoff berth within the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) on the Chennai Tremendous Kings floor right here on Thursday.

With this outcome, Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans additionally certified for the playoffs. SKM Salem Spartans, Trichy Grand Cholas, Nellai Royal Kings, and Siechem Madurai Panthers would be the 4 groups in competition for the fourth playoff spot, with Chepauk Tremendous Gillies having already certified.

Vimal hit back-to-back boundaries by way of covers off medium-pacer Ajay Krishna and a straight six off leg-spinner B. Rocky, and reverse-slapped a 4 to the third man boundary off left-arm spinner Sachin Rathi.

After Vimal fell, Hunny upped the ante. He lofted a 4 to extra-cover and pulled a six to fine-leg off Rocky. With 45 to win off 24 balls, he smashed a six to deep-midwicket off a no-ball and deposited the following free hit for a six to lengthy on off medium-pacer Sonu Yadav.

Earlier, left-hander N.S. Harish (43 n.o., 20b, 4×4, 3×6) and Sonu Yadav (39 n.o., 24b, 3×4, 2×6) obtained Royal Kings to 179 for six with an unbroken 80-run seventh-wicket stand (37 balls).

The scores: Nellai Royal Kings 179/6 in 20 overs (Sonu Yadav 39 n.o., N.S. Harish 43 n.o., Periyasamy 2/45, R. 
Ashwin 2/23, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/27) misplaced to Dindigul Dragons 180/6 in 18.4 overs (Maan Okay. Bafna 38, Vimal Khumar 45, Hunny Saini 37, B. Rocky 2/39). Toss: Royal Kings.

Saturday’s matches (in Dindigul): Chepauk Tremendous Gillies vs Siechem Madurai Panthers (3.15 p.m.); Lyca Kovai
Kings vs SKM Salem Spartans (7.15 p.m.).