Debutant Nirankar takes three for 21 as Dindigul Dragons win TNPL opener

Dindigul Dragons opened their Tamil Nadu Premier League campaign by beating iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, and the man who made it happen was Nirankar Sharma. The 26-year-old leg-spinner, who left Madhya Pradesh for a shot at Tamil Nadu cricket, came up with three for 21 in his first match.

Ashwin is mentoring this year, not playing, and Varun Chakravarthy is out with a hamstring. Nirankar waited years for the chance and said the Dragons management, Ashwin and B Indrajith had all backed him. He called it the perfect debut and is picking up tips from Ashwin as he goes.