CHENNAI: Dindigul Dragons notched up their first win of TNPL-6 with a 5-wicket win over Lyca Kovai Kings in Tirunelveli on Sunday. The architects of Dindigul’s win --- chasing Kovai’s target of 189 --- were skipper C Hari Nishaanth (60, 7x4, 2x6) and K Vishal Vaidhya (49, 4x4, 1x6).
In pursuit of a stiff total, Dindigul got off to the best possible start with the left-hand duo of skipper Hari Nishaanth and Vishal Vaidhya toying with the Kovai bowling from the word go. Both Hari Nishaanth and Vishal were fluent in their stroke-making. The duo added 100-run in 11.2 overs before Hari Nishaanth departed --- caught by keeper Suresh Kumar off R Divakar (2-39). Hari Nishaanth’s dismissal saw Dindigul’s chase beginning to stutter. Kovai were able to get rid of Dindigul No. 3 Mani Bharathi (7), and Vishal Vaidhya in quick succession. However, AG Pradeep’s (24 n.o., 1x4, 1x6) calm-headedness, cameos from R Vivek (10-ball 22) and K Monish (11 n.o., 2x4) helped Dindigul cross the finish line with four balls to spare.
