TNPL 2024 | Anirudh gives Tiruppur Tamizhans first victory of the season
The Hindu
B. Anirudh Sitaram's half-century leads IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans to first TNPL-8 win, beating Siechem Madurai Panthers by 4 wickets.
B. Anirudh Sitaram (52, 28b, 5x4, 3x6) stroked a fine half-century to help IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans beat Siechem Madurai Panthers by four wickets and post its first win of TNPL-8 at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground here on Saturday.
In pursuit of 157, the Tiruppur side started poorly, losing its openers by the third over before Anirudh and Amit Sathvik (23) got the chase back on track, adding 51 (25b) for the third wicket.
Anirudh, who walked in as the Impact Player, immediately put the pressure back on the opposition by depositing pacer Kiran Akash over covers for a six and then smashing spinners Hari Nishaanth and P. Saravanan for a couple of boundaries.
Amit then lofted Kiran down the ground for a six and a four in a 17-run sixth over to take Tamizhans to 62 for two in the PowerPlay. During the middle overs, leg-spinner M. Ashwin (four for 21) kept the former champion in the hunt, giving breakthroughs. But, S. Mohamed Ali showed composure and made a vital unbeaten 33 (27b, 2x6) to guide his side home.
In the afternoon, U. Sasidev’s cameo (41, 19b, 2x4, 4x6) ensured the Panthers got to a fighting total of 156 for nine after being asked to bat first.
Sasidev was aggressive and swept the spinners well — conventional and reverse — hitting Ajith Ram for a six and a four.
He was innovative against the pacers, using the scoop and lap shots to give the innings the final flourish, but it was not enough.