TNPL 2023: Bowlers rise to the occasion Salem Spartans and Dindigul Dragons against Ba11sy Trichy and Madurai Panthers

Indrajith’s unbeaten 78 helps Dindigul Dragons beat Siechem Madurai Panthers by seven wickets with 35 balls to spare in the second match of the day

Kaushik Gandhi’s unbeaten 52 (32b, 3x4, 3x6) helped Salem Spartans chase down 139 and post a five-wicket win over Ba11sy Trichy in the Tamil Nadu Premier League at the NPR College cricket ground in Natham on Sunday.

Kaushik hit three successive sixes in the 15th over off Antony Dhas to hasten the chase.

It had drizzled, was cloudy, and there was a bit of moisture on the pitch. So, it was surprising when Ba11sy Trichy captain V. Ganga Sridhar Raju won the toss and opted to bat on seemingly bowling-friendly conditions.

There was a bit of swing and seam movement, and good bounce throughout the match. And Trichy’s R. Rajkumar and Salem’s Amith Sathvik who opened the match concurred that the pitch was slow throughout.

Rajkumar pointed out post-match that batting was hard and they failed to stitch together partnerships, which was the main cause for the loss.

Salem’s new-ball bowlers Abhishek Tanwar and Sunny Sandhu effectively used the conditions as Trichy could manage only 22 for two in its Power Play.

Off-spinner Rajendran Karthikeyan was exceptional with his use of the carrom ball, which also led to the dismissal of Antony Dhas.