Retired India spinner R Ashwin put in an all-round show in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL 2025) Eliminator on Wednesday (July 2).
Ashwin, leading the Dindigul Dragons, chose to put the Trichy Grand Cholas in to bat first at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul. Trichy skipper Suresh Kumar was the first batter out, in the sixth over. At the end of the Powerplay, Trichy were 37-1.
Once the field restrictions were lifted, Varun Chakravarthy and R Ashwin began to operate in tandem, with the former striking twice in the tenth over to remove Jagatheesan Kousik and Sanjay Yadav.
Also read: Explained: Why is R Ashwin being accused of 'ball tampering' in a local T20 league?
Trichy were reduced to 97-6 by the 16th over, Ashwin having contributed with the wicket of R Rajkumar. He returned for his final over in the 19th of the innings, and picked up two more, dismissing Jafar Jamal and N Selva Kumaran to finish with 3-28 from his four overs. Chakravarthy returned 2-19 as Trichy posted 140-9.
Eliminator, Dindigul Dragons vs Trichy Grand Cholas
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- Ball by ball Over
R Ashwin's 3-28 and 83 (48) lead Dindigul Dragons to victory
Ashwin then came out to lead his side's reply with the bat. He dominated the opening partnership with 37 off 22, ensuring Dindigul reached 58-1 by the sixth over.
He went on to bring up a half-century off 31 balls, and kept going. Across the 13th and 14th overs of the chase, Ashwin hit six, one, six, four, four to put his side on the brink of victory, before he was bowled by Athisayaraj Davidson for 83 off 48 balls. Dindigul eventually got over the line with six wickets and 20 balls to spare. Ashwin was named Player of the Match, and Dindigul will now play Chepauk Super Gillies for a place in the final.
Ashwin has opened the batting just thrice in T20 cricket – once each for Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Tamil Nadu. However, he has been opening regularly in the TNPL since last season. He finished fifth in the run-scorers' chart in 2024, and after eight matches is in fourth place this year.
Image credit: X / @TNPremierLeague
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