DD VS CSG T20

So that ends a cracking Qualifier 2. The scorecard says that Dindigul chased it down with ease but the presenter summed it up perfectly - the match was no less than an ECG graph, going up and down in both innings. Tough luck for Chepauk, winning the first 7 games but losing the next 2 which mattered. As far as Dindigul are concerned, they enter their second consecutive final, their fourth overall and will be up against Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans who are in their maiden TNPL final. Experience is on the side of the Dragons but it could be anyone's day come the final. The match is scheduled on Sunday, 6th July, 2025, with the first ball at 7.15 pm IST but our buildup will begin well in advance. Do tune in early then. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious captain of Dindigul Dragons, RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN, is kind of feeling proud of his team's win, calling these days as very special. Details that the kind of performances the youngsters put to give the results are very heartening. On his heart's emotions during the game, even before the question could be completed, Ashwin interrupts by bluntly saying that in the Dindigul team, the belief is more in the lower order than the top. Explains that the batters have consistently chased scores over 180 in the tournament, but barring one game where himself and Shivam Singh did well, it has mostly been the middle and lower middle order and even here, they nailed it. Answers the question by saying that he was very blank in his emotions and feels that even Vimal Khumar just went after the bowling without thinking much and was in his zone. On his thoughts about playing Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans in the final, Ashwin calls Tiruppur a solid team, which is playing good cricket. Accepts that Dindigul will have to turn on their 'A' game. Admits that Sandeep Warrier is a big loss for the team but hopes to have one more good day.

Dindigul Dragons' VIMAL KHUMAR HAS BEEN ADJUDGED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his blistering 65 (30). Humbly says that the feeling has not yet sunk in, as he himself doesn't know how did he end up playing such a knock. Thanks all the seniors for helping him out throughout the tournament, even off the field, at odd hours during the night. On his thought process while hammering 34 runs in the 17th over, Khumar smiles and says that he was clear in his mind to take the bowler on before the over and is glad that it worked out. On his thought process whle batting overall, Vimal says that there was no confusion while playing with Baba Indrajith, as Indrajith was only guiding him regarding the moments when to take the bowlers on. On being asked about predeciding which over to target, VK agrees and says that he had decided at the end of the 16th to target Rohith Suthar and just wanted to keep on going.

The skipper of Chepauk Super Gillies, BABA APARAJITH, says that his team played good cricket throughout the season but could not step up in key moments, something which a champion side needs. Admits that scoring just 23 runs in the last 4 overs after he got out was the reason for the defeat. However, does not want to take anything away from Dindigul, citing that Vimal Khumar batted beautifully, and that one over (17th) changed the game. Feels sad for the bowler (Rohith Suthar) as well. On the takeaways from the season, Aparajith cites a lot of positives, as in winning 7 games on the trot, the batting clicking well and players stepping up at some point or the other.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the game, Dindigul won the toss and chose to chase, much to the surprise of many. The feeling was that the pitch would slow down and at one stage, it seemed like a bad decision. At 155/2 in the 16th over, 200 seemed to be on the cards but the Dragons pulled it back superbly, to restrict Chepauk to 178/7. Aparajith's 67 and Jagadeesan's 81 in their 129-run stand gave the Super Gillies a solid base, but that's why the saying goes - it is not just enough to start well. You need to finish the job. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

Tough pill to swallow for Chepauk. They lost momentum at the end of the first innings and with the ball, seemed to do well in the middle overs as well. However, just as they faltered with the bat, they faltered with the ball at the death as well. They managed just 23/3 in the last 4 overs. Ended up conceding 2/55 in the last 16 deliveries! The bowling was not bad as such but lack of strikes with the new ball and poor death bowling cost them.

Having said all of the below, matches are not won or lost till the last ball is bowled. Indrajith and Vimal Khumar got the Dragons back on track, with a fine 60-run stand for the 4th wicket. At that stage, Chepauk seemed to be lost for ideas but Indrajith's wicket tilted the scales again. Add to it, at the end of the 16th over, Dindigul needed 52 in the last 4 overs. However, along came Rohith Suthar to bowl the 17th and Khumar literally carted him to all parts, hammering him for 34 runs in that over, which consisted of 5 sixes. That blew the wind out of Chepauk's sails as the game ended with 8 balls to spare. Vimal could not quite take his side home but his swashbuckling 65 from just 30 balls had done enough to take his side into the final.

Normally, in a semifinal, or specifically, Qualifier 2, 179 is a pretty stiff target to chase. But just the fact that Dindigul had conceded only 40 runs in the last 5 overs, gave them tremendous self belief. They got a near-perfect start to the chase, with the openers teeing off again, while Baba Indrajith held the batting in the middle overs. However, post the Powerplay, the scoring started to hit a wall and the pressure started to tell. It was at that time, when Chepauk had a sniff. Dindigul had slipped from 42/0 to 63/3 and around the halfway mark, needed 101 in the last 10 overs.

What a chase from the defending champions. They reach their fourth final of the TNPL, in the last 7 seasons. That's consistency. The game looked to be out of the bag but cometh the hour, cometh the champions.

FOUR! M Karthik Saran ends in style! On a length, down the leg side, M Karthik Saran picks it well and tickles it fine for a boundary. Dindigul Dragons beat the Chepauk Super Gillies by 4 wickets and make it into the final of TNPL 2025!

M Karthik Saran comes in next, at number 8, replacing Vimal Khumar, possibly for the winning hit.

OUT! BOWLED! Vimal Khumar has done his job, though! A yorker, on off, Vimal Khumar looks to drive it but misses it completely as the ball rattles over the off pole. Vimal Khumar walks back into the shed but with his head high. Vimal Khumar departs after his match-winning knock of 65 runs!

OUT! BOWLED! Vimal Khumar has done his job, though! A yorker, on off, Vimal Khumar looks to drive it but misses it completely as the ball rattles over the off pole. Vimal Khumar walks back into the shed but with his head high. Vimal Khumar departs after his match-winning knock of 65 runs!

Too full, on middle and leg, Dinesh H digs it to the right of the bowler for one.

FOUR! Easy pickings! A full toss, down the leg side. Dinesh H gets low and tickles it fine for a boundary. Just 2 needed now.

Last over of the match? Just 6 needed. With Vimal in such good blow, what are the chances of having a 20th over? On the flip side, can Chepauk get his wicket and send the cat scurrying amongst the pigeons? Prem Kumar to bowl. 3-0-22-1 so far.