R Ashwin opening the batting

Ravichandran Ashwin scored a quickfire 69 not out while opening the batting in the TNPL 2024 Qualifier 2 between Dindigul Dragons and Tiruppur Tamizhans on Friday (August 2).

Ashwin continued his impressive form with the bat, returning yet another valuable contribution in a must-win game in TNPL.

Captaining the Dindigul Dragons, Ashwin promoted himself to open in a 108-run chase for his team. The all-rounder didn’t disappoint, smashing an unbeaten 69 runs off 30 balls. His innings was studded with 11 fours and three sixes, including a flurry of sweeps and reverse-sweeps.

Ashwin’s blitzkrieg ensured that the Dragons gunned down the target with nine wickets and more than as many overs remaining. The victory guaranteed his team a spot in the tournament’s final against Lyca Kovai Kings in Chennai on August 4.

An established all-rounder, Ashwin’s batting prowess is not unknown to the cricketing fraternity, especially in Tests. While he seldom played up the order in the IPL, Ashwin’s rich vein of form with the bat at the top in TNPL 2024 is refreshing. Someone who once opened for Tamil Nadu in junior cricket before turning spin bowling as his forte, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The fifty was his second on the trot: In the Eliminator against Chepauk Super Gillies, Ashwin batted at No.3 and starred with a 35-ball 57 to help his side chase 158-6.

On Friday, he was equally adept with the ball. He dismissed Tiruppur Tamizhans opener Tushar Raheja cheaply to return figures of 1-27, restricting the opponents to a paltry score.

So far this season, he has amassed 200 runs in the tournament at an average of 33.33 while striking at 166.66, the second-highest in TNPL 2024 with a minimum cut-off of 150 runs.

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