In a thrilling match played on June 22nd in the TNPL league, Dindigul Dragons' star players R. Ashwin and Varun Chakravarthy delivered outstanding performances that left the spectators amazed.
Sports News: The TNPL 2025 is witnessing intense cricketing action, and the Salem Spartans vs. Dindigul Dragons match played on Sunday provided fans with an unforgettable experience. Spectators witnessed R. Ashwin unleashing a Virender Sehwag-like onslaught on the bowlers, while Varun Chakravarthy delivered a Dhoni-esque "ice-cool" finish in the final over, securing victory for his team.
Ashwin's Dual Role: Bowling Havoc, Batting Blitz
Dindigul Dragons' captain, R. Ashwin, once again proved that he is not just a Test specialist but a highly effective and dangerous all-rounder in T20 cricket as well. During Salem Spartans' innings, Ashwin took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 23 runs. He clean-bowled the set batsman, Nidhish Rajagopal, putting the brakes on Salem's innings. Nidhish scored 74 runs, but Ashwin's bowling prevented him from reaching a significantly higher score.
Batting first, the Salem Spartans posted a challenging 187 runs for 7 wickets in their 20 overs. However, Ashwin had other plans.
Ashwin Shines with the Bat: Sehwag-esque Style
Chasing a target of 188 runs, Dindigul Dragons' captain Ashwin opened the innings and decided to attack the bowlers from the outset. He played a whirlwind knock of 36 runs in just 14 balls, pushing the opposition onto the back foot right from the start. His innings included 5 fours and 2 sixes, with a strike rate exceeding 257, reminiscent of Sehwag's aggressive style.
Ashwin, along with Shivam Singh, forged a blistering 57-run partnership in the powerplay, setting the stage for victory. The stadium erupted with applause and cheers for their performance.
Varun Chakravarthy's "Dhoni Style" Finish
Although Dindigul's innings slowed down after Ashwin's dismissal, the match went down to the wire. In the 20th over, Dindigul needed 7 runs from 2 balls to win. This situation would have unnerved most batsmen, but Varun Chakravarthy, usually known for his mystery spin bowling, was at the crease. This time, he displayed the same composure and confidence with the bat.
Varun hit a towering six off the first ball, reminding spectators of Dhoni's prowess. He then dispatched the next ball for a boundary, ending the match. His calm, precise, and effective finish echoed Mahendra Singh Dhoni's cool demeanor. Dindigul Dragons won the match with 19 balls to spare. Ashwin's all-round performance and Varun Chakravarthy's match-winning finish were the highlights of this encounter.
