Dindigul win to set up final with Chepauk

CHENNAI: Dindigul Dragons registered a 45-run win over defending champions Siechem Madurai Panthers in Qualifier 2 of TNPL-4 at the NPR College ground in Dindigul on Tuesday. Dindigul's comfortable victory saw them march into the final where they take on Chepauk Super Gillies at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Thursday.
Dindigul scored 175-6 after batting first and then went on to bowl out Dindigul for 130.Openers N Jagadeesan (50, 4x4, 1x6) and Hari Nishanth (51, 3x4, 2x6) were instrumental in Dindigul finishing with a strong total before their bowlers - medium-pacer R Rohit (3-20), left-arm spinner Silambarasan (3-18) and leggie Abhinav (2-18) - came to the party in the second half of the contest.
Chasing a stiff target, Madurai needed their best player - KB Arun Karthick (11, 2x4) - to fire but the right-hander had an off day as he lasted just 8 deliveries. Arun's opening partner Sarath Raj (32, 1x4, 3x6) kept Madurai in the chase with his 23-ball knock. Abhinav's twin strikes in the 8th over - dismissing Sarath and Nilesh Subramanian (12, 2x4) - left Madurai in trouble at 58 for 4. J Kousik (40, 2x4, 3x6) did his best to resist the slide but once he departed in the 17th over, Madurai's chase fizzled out.
Earlier, Jagadeesan and Hari Nishanth gave Dindigul the right start as they added 101 runs in 14.4 overs. The duo started off on a steady note - scoring 37 in the Powerplay overs. The first 10 overs produced only 65 runs for Dindigul. On his individual score of 45, Jagadeesan - in the 13th over bowled by Rahil Shah (1-21) - was given a life by Sarath Raj who dropped a sitter at square region. Soon after he crossed his 50 in the 15th over - Jagadeesan departed - caught at long-on by J Kousik off Rahil.
The final 5 overs of Dindigul saw them score 73 runs thanks to the fireworks provided by NS Chaturved (35, 1x4, 4x6) and M Mohammed (32 n.o., 2x4, 3x6). For Madurai, Rahil and medium-pacers - Abhishek Tanwar (1-26) and Kiran Akash (2-44) - shone with the ball.
Brief scores: Dindigul Dragons 175-6 in 20 overs (Jagadeesan 50, Hari Nishanth 51). Siechem Madurai Panthers 130 all out in 19.5 overs (J Kousik 40; Silambarasan 3-18, Rohit 3-20). Dindigul won by 45 runs.