TNPL 2025: Clutch Varun Chakravarthy's batting skills help Dindigul Dragons get out of jail in thriller versus Salem Spartans

Varun Chakravarthy is a proven match-winner with the ball in hand, but on Sunday, June 22, cricket enthusiasts witnessed his batting prowess as he played a blinder of a cameo to take Dindigul Dragons to a thrilling victory against Salem Spartans in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025.

The pulsating clash was played at the Indian Cement Company Ground in Tirunelveli. Chasing a 189-run target, Dindigul Dragons found themselves at 178/7 at the end of 19 overs. M Poiyamozhi, who was the highest wicket-taker in the previous edition, was given the task of bowling the final over.

The right-arm seamer conceded just three runs off the first four balls he bowled and picked up the wicket of M Karthik Saran. However, things went downhill for him when he bowled a no ball. While the illegal delivery didn't yield Dindigul more than a run, Chakravarthy took full advantage of the subsequent free-hit, as he stepped across outside the off-stump line and lofted Poiyamozhi over long-on for a huge six. With the scores levelled and a ball left to play, the right-arm seamer tried to outfox the mystery spinner with a slower delivery. However, the latter was up to the task, as he drilled the delivery back over mid-off's head for a boundary to take his team over the line.

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Varun Chakravarthy delivered a humdinger finish for the Dindigul Dragons! @TNCACricket @DindigulDragons @chakaravarthy29 #TNPL #NammaOoruNammaGethu #TNPL2025

11:19 PM · Jun 22, 2025

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Chakravarthy and his teammates were thrilled to bits. The camera panned to the Dragons' captain Ravichandran Ashwin in the dugout, who was visibly relieved after ending up on the winning side. The legendary off-spinner gave Chakravarthy a big hug.

Earlier in the day, Ashwin won the toss and opted to bowl first. The Spartans posted 188/7 on the back of Nidhish Rajagopal's 47-ball 74. Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for the defending champions, finishing with figures of 3/22. Meanwhile, Chakravarthy conceded 33 runs in his four overs and picked up a solitary wicket.

For Dindigul, Ashwin, Shivam Singh, and Hunny Saini made useful contributions before Chakravarthy's heroics helped them register a two-wicket win off the last ball.