TNPL 2019: Dindigul Dragons beat defending champions Madurai Panthers to reach second straight final
Dindigul Dragons have confirmed their place in the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2019 (TNPL) final, after their openers Hari Nishaanth and N Jagadeesan hit half-centuries to set up 45-run win over defending champions Madurai Panthers in Qualifier 2 on Tuesday.
This sets up a summit clash with Chepauk Super Gillies in Chennai on Thursday.
Batting first, Panthers were given a strong start from Nishaanth (51 off 46 balls) and Jagadeesan (50 off 48) who put on 101 in 14.4 overs. Jagadeesan – leading Panthers in place of the rested R Ashwin – hit four fours an a six in his innings.
(READ: Madurai Panthers clinch last-ball thriller to make it to Qualifier 2)
After a brief wobble, NS Chaturvedi hit 35 off 13 balls, with four sixes, and pace bowler M Mohammed laced three sixes in his nine-ball 32 that helped Panthers end with 175/6.
Chasing 176, Panthers lost KB Arun Karthik and the captain Shijit Chandran inside the Powerplay, after which only J Kousik (41 off 30) really threatened damage. Madurai were bowled out for 130 in 19.5 overs, with Ramalingam Rohit (3/20), M Silambasaran (3/18) and offspinner Mohan Abhinav (2/18) the chief wicket-takers.
Brief scores: Dindigul Dragons 175/6 in 20 overs (Nishaanth 51, Jagadeesan 50) beat Madurai Panthers 130 in 19.5 ovs (Kousik 40, Silambarasan 3/18, Rohit 3/20) by 45 runs