Tushar Raheja came up with a blistering knock of 102 to power Tiruppur Tamizhans to victory.
| Photo Credit: G. KARTHIKEYAN
Aashiq’s brilliant effort went in vain for Super Gillies.
| Photo Credit:
G. KARTHIKEYAN
iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans opener Tushar Raheja went eyeball to eyeball with Chepauk Super Gillies top-order batter K. Aashiq and let his willow say: “If you can do it, I can do it too.”
In the Tamil Nadu Premier League encounter at the NPR College Ground here on Friday, Aashiq (98, 56b, 6×4, 7×6) put on a show in his ‘home venue’ and in front of his proud parents, piloting Super Gillies to 205 for eight. But he ended up on the losing side as Tushar (102, 52b, 5×4, 8×6) outshone him with his maiden TNPL century in Tamizhans’ seven-wicket victory, which was earned with two overs to spare.
The 25-year-old, in the company of Pradosh Ranjan Paul (73 n.o., 41b, 9×4, 2×6), decimated the CSG bowling attack during their dominant 149-run third-wicket stand. Once Tushar got into the zone after smacking ‘mystery spinner’ Ashwanth Valthapa for two sixes and a four in the third over, the fans in the makeshift galleries had to be on high alert. The southpaw completed his milestone with a boundary over fine leg off pacer Abhishek Tanwar.
Earlier, in a rare occurrence, a bowler dismissed a rival with an almost identical name – Tamizhans left-arm spinner Mohan Prasath sent Super Gillies’ Mohana Prasath back to the dug-out.
In the night match, it was Nellai Royal Kings’ day out. It defeated Dindigul Dragons by six wickets, with multiple players, including skipper Sonu Yadav (three for 24 and 19 n.o.), stepping up to bag the team’s second win on the bounce.
The scores: Chepauk Super Gillies 205/8 in 20 overs (K. Aashiq 98, R. Silambarasan 2/52, Mohan Prasath 2/31) lost to iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans 206/3 in 18 overs (Tushar Raheja 102, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 73 n.o., M. Vignesh 3/31).
Dindigul Dragons 170/7 in 20 overs (Anuraag Nair 35, R. Vimal Khumar 63, B. Rocky 2/33, Sonu Yadav 3/24) lost to Nellai Royal Kings 172/4 in 17.4 overs (Santhosh Kumar 44, G. Ajitesh 46, U. Mukilesh 43 n.o., P. Bhuvaneswaran 2/31).
Saturday’s matches: Madurai Panthers vs. Vida Kovai Kings, 3.30 p.m.; SKM Salem Spartans vs. Trichy Grand Cholas, 7.30 p.m.
Published – August 07, 2026 11:29 pm IST
