Dindigul Dragons captain Hari Nishanth was delighted to be on the winning side after his team defeated Lyca Kovai Kings by five wickets at the Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli on Sunday in the fifth match of ongoing TNPL 2022.

LKK posted a par score of 188-8 in the first innings after the DD skipper won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Ganga Sridhar Raju (33) and Suresh Kumar (37) added 67 runs for the opening alliance to give a good platform to their team. Shijit Chandran added 30 runs whereas U Mukilesh scored a fine knock of 49 runs from 25 balls. R Vivek was the pick of the bowlers for DD as he scalped three wickets.

On the other hand, DD got off to a perfect start in the run-chase as Vishal Vaidhya and Hari Nishanth added 100 runs for the opening stand in 11.2 overs. Vaidhya scored 49 runs whereas Nishanth added 60 runs for his team to play a match-winning knock.

Furthermore, R Vivek, who had done a fine job with the ball, also added the finishing touches in the run-chase as he played a crucial cameo of 10-ball 22 with the help of three sixes.

DD was able to get over the line as they recorded their maiden win of the season after coming up with a collective effort.

Hari Nishanth was awarded the Player of the Match for his fine knock of 60 runs. He said in the post-match presentation, “Very happy to be on the winning side. We have to execute well from the next game, we need to rise up. I am happy to be winning the toss, it’s pressure to be bowling in the end. The wicket is setting the tone for us, need to capitalize on the start. Any target is chaseable on this wicket. I am worried about the fielding, but we need to come back strong in the next match.”

DD will look to continue the good show in the upcoming matches and this run-chase would have given them a lot of confidence after they lost their opening game of the season.

Dindigul Dragons will next face Nellai Royal Kings at the NPR College Ground, Dindigul on Thursday.