# Nirankar Sharma leads Dragons to emphatic TNPL opening win 2026-08-06T17:46:10+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Dindigul Dragons began their Tamil Nadu Premier League campaign by defeating reigning champions iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans by seven wickets at the NPR College Ground on Tuesday. Tiruppur were bowled out for 107 in 15.4 overs, after losing their top four during the PowerPlay while attacking aerially. Dindigul reached 111 for three in 18.3 overs, with Anuraag Nair making 34 and R. Vimal Khumar remaining unbeaten on 33. Debutant leg-spinner Nirankar Sharma claimed three for 21 and won Player of the Match on his tournament debut. P. Bhuvaneswaran also took three wickets, recovering after conceding 21 runs from his first five balls. Nirankar moved from Madhya Pradesh to Tamil Nadu and has been learning under Dindigul mentor R. Ashwin, who did not play. Varun Chakaravarthy missed the match with a hamstring injury. ## Coverage - thehindu.com - thehindu.com Tags: Dindigul Dragons, Nirankar Sharma, R Ashwin, spin bowling, TNPL Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/nirankar-sharma-delivers-three-wicket-debut-for-dindigul-dragons/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/nirankar-sharma-delivers-three-wicket-debut-for-dindigul-dragons/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.