ITT VS DD QUALIFIER 2

And then there were two. Right then, folks! We have got the two finalists of Tamil Nadu Premier League 2024. The battle lines have been drawn now, and the two of the most formidable sides stand face to face in the field. Ravichandran Ashwin's Dindigul Dragons will take on Shahrukh Khan's Lyca Kovai Kings in the Grand Finale which will be played on Sunday, August 4 at the same iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium of Chennai. This marks the third TNPL final appearance for Dindigul whereas Kovai Kings are on a quest to defend their title. Will Ashwin's troops get their hands on the silverware this time around after being two-time runners-up previously? Or will Shahrukh Khan's men defend their title? It is surely going to be a crackerjack of a contest. The first ball will be bowled at 7.15 pm IST (1345 GMT). But please do join our pre-match coverage as well. Till then take care, cheers!

Vignesh Puthur has been adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his exceptional bowling figures. Not only did he snag a spectacular 3-fer, but gave away absolutely nothing, quite literally. With just 8 runs conceded in his quota of four overs, he ran through the batting line up of IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Dindigul's bowlers have executed their plans to perfection in the last few games, consistently hitting tight lengths and mixing up their pace. They bowled to their field settings with precision, choking the run flow and reaping the rewards. But the bright spot has been Ravichandran Ashwin, who has toyed around with the field at will and with ease up top. With two back-to-back half centuries, that too, in virtual knockouts the skipper is on a mission. Ashwin's form with the willow has been a game-changer for Dindigul this season, proving that he's not just a wizard with the ball, but a true all-round match-winner for his side.

Earlier in the game, being inserted to bat, IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans did start alertly, getting the feel of the alien surface. But after a 24-run opening stand, it all went steep and downhill for IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans. They slipped from 24/0 to 45/5 around the halfway mark. The boundary drought hit hard, with the scoreboard barely ticking over. S Ganesh and impact player Maan Bafna tried to launch a counterattack, but Ashwin's shrewd bowling changes kept them on a tight leash.

A tale of two innings highlighting the stark difference between the sides. The entire IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans lineup, all eleven batters, managed to strike just 11 boundaries throughout their collective effort. In stunning contrast, the Dindigul skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin, single-handedly outplayed that feat, smashing 14 boundaries (11 fours and 3 sixes) individually. Sai Kishore's men faced a mountain to climb. With just 108 on the board, they desperately needed early breakthroughs, knowing Dindigul's top four were the danger men. But hopes of a miracle spell were quickly dashed. The Tiruppur bowlers had no answers as Ashwin and Khumar milked the field, finding gaps at will.

Chasing a measly total, Dindigul Dragons knew a solid start would set them on course. Skipper Ravichandran Ashwin, in a bold move, strode out to open with Vimal Khumar. From ball one, Ashwin unleashed a blistering assault, giving the Tiruppur bowlers no time to settle. Khumar played the perfect second fiddle, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Ashwin came on a mission to end the game as quickly as possible and just executed a merciless onslaught by remaining unbeaten on 69 off just 30 deliveries.

GAME. SET. MATCH! How often have we seen a team draped in yellow emerging with dominance at Chepauk! Well, jokes apart, Dindigul Dragons have made it into the grand finale of TNPL 2024 by outclassing and outfoxing their opposition from the first ball bowled. Ravichandran Ashwin has marshaled his troops successfully into the knockouts so far. First, they ran over the four-time title holders, Chepauk Super Gillies in a thriller of an Eliminator, and now, by ambushing IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, humbling them with a win by 9 wickets and 67 balls to spare in Qualifier 2.

SIX MORE! Ravichandran Ashwin finishes things off in style and DINDIGUL DRAGONS ARE INTO THE FINAL! Another slower one, banged in short over off stump, Ashwin looks to pull off the front foot but is early in the shot and yet manages to flat-bat it well over long on for another biggie. Dindigul Dragons win Qualifier 2 by 9 wickets and Ashwin remains unbeaten on 69!

SIX! Picked up and dispatched! A nothing ball really as this is bowled slower and shorter on the stumps, sitting up nicely for the batter. Ravichandran Ashwin waits on the back foot and whacks it up and away over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

A slower bumper now over off stump, Baba Indrajith gets inside the line and controls the pull down to deep backward square leg for one. The 100 now comes up for Dindigul Dragons.

Slower one, on a good length around off, Baba Indrajith lets the ball come on to the bat and works it away between mid on and mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Hard length over middle, Baba Indrajith stays put and simply blocks it off solidly.

Another gentle-paced delivery, slightly back of a length and outside off, Baba Indrajith hangs back and opens the bat face to guide it down to deep third for a run.

Floats this one up on the stumps, Ravichandran Ashwin plays it on the up and flicks it in front of mid-wicket for one more.

Rohit takes pace off again and just bowls it on a good length over middle, Baba Indrajith flicks the ball through square leg and rotates the strike.

Full and wide this time, slower as well, Ravichandran Ashwin goes for the big shot over covers but slices the ball down to deep third and picks up a single.

FOUR! Ravichandran Ashwin is in a real hurry to finish off the game, just 16 required now. Pitched up on the stumps, Ashwin goes deep in the crease, allowing himself to get under the ball and just chips it over mid off to pick up four more runs.