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TNPL 2017: Tuti Patriots off to a winning start, defeat Dindigul Dragons by 7 runs

Washinton Sundar was the star with both bat and ball for Tuti Patriots. He made 69 off just 48 balls and then picked up 3 wickets for 34 runs in his 4 overs.

Washington Sundar was awarded the MoM for his all-round performance © Getty Images
Washington Sundar was awarded the MoM for his all-round performance © Getty Images

In the first match of Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2017, the defending champions Tuti Patriots were off to winning start as they defeated Dindigul Dragons by 7 runs. Washinton Sundar was the star with both bat and ball for the Patriots. He made 69 off just 48 balls and then picked up 3 wickets for 34 runs in his 4 overs.

Electing to bat first, Tuti Patriots were provided a terrific start by their opening pair. Washington Sundar, whom we have seen opening the bowling in IPL, came out to open the innings alongside Kaushik Gandhi and added 107 runs for the opening wicket. The rate at which the pair scored the runs was astonishing. Especially, Sundar, who smashed the bowlers all over the park. Having watched him bowl the off-spinners for Rising Pune Supergiant, this avatar of Sundar did surprise me a bit. But he has opened before and for him, it was business as usual.

By the time the first powerplay ended, the Tuti Patriots openers had already scored 67 runs. Seeing his partner thrashing the bowlers, Kaushik too got into the act and played some fantastic shots through the off-side. The bowling from Dindigul Dragons was also poor as they erred in their line and lengths, which allowed the batsmen to free their arms.

The 100-run partnership was up in the 10th over and both the batsmen were approaching their respective fifties. However, in the very next over, Wilkins Victor broke the partnership and got rid of Kaushik Gandhi for 46.

A couple of overs later, Sundar reached his fifty with a top-edge over the wicket-keeper’s head that went for a boundary. T. Natarajan again went for the short ball, but this time around, Sundar was ready and he hoicked it over the deep square-leg fielder for a maximum. He was looking really dangerous from the Dragons’ perspective and they needed to get rid of him as soon as possible. The job was done by R Vivek, who in his third over, got Sundar caught behind for 69.

Post Sundar’s dismissal, SP Nathan and Subramanian Anand provided perfect finishing touches to the innings as they scored 43 runs off 4 overs. The last over, however, was brilliantly bowled by T. Natarajan as he gave away just 3 runs and also picked up the wicket of Akash Sumra to restrict Tuti Patriots to 184.

Just like he did with the bat, Washington Sundar gave a solid start to his team with the ball in his hands. In his very first over, he sent N Jagadeesan back in the pavilion and gave the first blow to Dindigul Dragons. At the end of 10 overs, the Dragons had managed to score 83 runs for the loss of 3 wickets and they required another 102 runs to get off the last 10.

Ganga Sridhar Raju batted superbly and scored a fine 55-ball 66, before he too was dismissed by Sundar in the 18th over. That over was a turning point in the game, as Dindigul Dragons not only lost the wicket of Raju, but R Vivek, who had smashed a quickfire 36, was also run out in the very same over.

21 runs were required off the last 2 overs, but the batting side could score only 13, and as a result lost the match by 7 runs.

Brief Scores:

Tuti Patriots: 184 for 4 in 20 overs (Washington Sundar 69, Kaushik Gandhi 46; R Vivek 1 for 21) beat Dindigul Dragons: 177 for 7 in 20 overs (Ganga Sridhar Raju 66, R Vivek 36; Washington Sundar 3 for 34) by 7 runs

Player of the Match: Washington Sundar

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