Vimal Khumar smashed 34 runs in the 17th over to turn it around for Dindigul Dragons in Qualifier 2 against Chepauk Super Gillies.
| Photo Credit: G. KARTHIKEYAN
R. Vimal Khumar (65, 30b, 5×4, 5×6) produced one of the most astonishing knocks in TNPL history, smashing 34 runs in one over to power defending champion Dindigul Dragons into the final, beating Chepauk Super Gillies by four wickets in Qualifier 2 at the NPR College ground here on Friday.
Chasing 179 and needing 52 off the last four overs, Dragons required a miracle, and it came through the blade of Vimal. The left-hander put on a scintillating display when he tore apart left-arm pacer S. Rohith Suthar, striking him for a boundary and five sixes, which turned the game on its head. The 34-run over is the costliest in nine years of the competition.
The youngster started the 17th over with a boundary down the ground and over the next five balls carted
Rohith to all parts of the ground from mid-wicket, long-on, long-off, cover and fine-leg. In the process, he brought up his half-century off just 26 balls and ensured his team would have an opportunity to defend its crown on home soil against IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans. From 63 for three, Vimal and B. Indrajith (42) got the chase back on track through their 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket before the former took charge.
Earlier, a breathtaking 129-run third-wicket stand between B. Aparajith (67, 44b, 5×4, 3×6) and N. Jagadeesan (81, 41b, 4×4, 6×6) guided Super Gillies to 178 for seven after being asked to bat first.
Jagadeesan started cautiously before switching gears. He was severe on the spinners R. Sasidharan and R.
Ashwin, hitting them for five sixes. Dragons though pulled things back once they removed the set batters, giving just 23 in the last four overs without conceding a boundary, and it proved vital in the end.
The scores: Chepauk Super Gillies 178/7 in 20 overs (B. Aparajith 67, N. Jagadeesan 81, Sasidharan 2/41) lost to Dindigul Dragons 182/6 in 18.4 overs (B. Indrajith 42, R. Vimal Khumar 65, Prem Kumar 2/31). Toss: Dragons.
Published – July 04, 2025 11:51 pm IST
