Ashwin Guides Dindigul Dragons To Their First TNPL Title In 2024 Season

Dindigul Dragons clinched their first Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) title with a 6-wicket win over Lyca Kovai Kings in the TNPL 2024 final at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday, August 4.

After restricting Lyca Kovai Kings to 129/7 in their 20 overs, captain Ravichandran Ashwin's 46-ball 52 led Dindigul Dragons to victory with ten balls remaining.

Baba Indrajith contributed 32 runs off 35 balls, while C Sharath Kumar added an unbeaten 27 off 15 balls for the Dragons. For Lyca Kovai Kings, Gowtham Thamarai Kannan, Manimaran Siddharth, Valliappan Yudheeswaran, and captain Shahrukh Khan each took a wicket.

Earlier in the match, Suresh Kumar gave LKK a solid start with a quickfire 22 off 11 balls. However, Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier both took two wickets for 26 runs each to slow down the scoring. Ashwin and P Vignesh bowled economical spells as well.

The final ceremony featured former Indian cricketer and T20 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid as the chief guest. Reflecting on his experiences in Chennai, Dravid said, "Chennai has given me several unforgettable moments. I reached my 10,000th run in Test cricket against South Africa at this very venue, and I have had many memorable experiences playing in Division cricket here."

Dravid also praised TNPL for its role in nurturing young talent: "TNPL has undoubtedly provided a vital platform for young talent and has uncovered numerous players who have gone on to make a significant impact in Indian cricket."

TNPL Overview

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) organises TNPL annually since its inception in 2016, except for the year 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chepauk Super Gillies are the most successful team with four titles. Lyca Kovai Kings follow with two titles from 2022 and 2023. The Dragons now join Siechem Madurai Panthers and defunct Tuti Patriots as other winners.

TNPL 2024 Award Winners & Stats

• Champions: Dindigul Dragons
• Runner-up: Lyca Kovai Kings
• Player of the Match (FINAL): R Ashwin - 0/13 in 4 overs & 52 off 46 balls
• Most Valuable Player (Player of the Tournament): Shahrukh Khan (Lyca Kovai Kings)
• Most Runs in TNPL 2024: Shivam Singh (Dindigul Dragons) - 364 runs in 9 innings
• Most Wickets in TNPL 2024: M Poiyamozhi (Salem Spartans) - 16 wickets in 7 innings
• Most Centuries in TNPL 2024: B Sai Sudharsan (Lyca Kovai Kings) & Shivam Singh (Dindigul Dragons) - 1 Hundred each
• Most Half-Centuries: M Shahrukh Khan (Lyca Kovai Kings) - 4 fifties
• Highest Score in TNPL 2024: B Sai Sudharsan (Lyca Kovai Kings) -123 not out off56 balls vs iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans
• Most Sixes in TNPL2024:Shivam Singh(DindigulDragons)-23 sixesin9innings
• Most FoursinTNPL2024: strong > TusharRaheja(iDreamTiruppurTamizhans)-33foursin9innings li > Highest total: strong >201 /3in20oversbyLycaKovaiKingsvsiDreamTiruppurTamizhans |201 /5in20oversbyDindigulDragonsvsSiechemMaduraiPanthers li > Lowest total: strong >108AllOutbyiDreamTiruppurTamizhansvsDindigulDragons li > Best bowling figuresinaninnings: strong >KEaswar(TrichyGrandCholas)-6for32in4oversvsDindigulDragons li > ul > The tournament continues to be an essential platform for emerging cricketers from Tamil Nadu. It provides them with opportunities to showcase their skills on a larger stage. The success of teams like Dindigul Dragons highlights the competitive nature of TNPL. This league remains crucial for developing future stars of Indian cricket.