The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) has rapidly evolved into one of India’s most exciting domestic T20 leagues, acting as a launchpad for emerging talents from Tamil Nadu’s cricketing ecosystem. One of the most prominent and consistent teams in the tournament's history is the Dindigul Dragons. Representing the city of Dindigul, the Dragons have carved a reputation for resilience, fighting spirit, and a deep reservoir of young and experienced players alike. After years of consistently reaching the knockout stages, the...
Formed in 2016 as one of the original franchises of the TNPL, the Dindigul Dragons have been one of the most consistent and entertaining sides in the tournament’s history. While early years saw them come close to clinching the title, they were often thwarted at the final hurdle. Their wait finally ended in 2024, when they emerged as TNPL champions, defeating Lyca Kovai Kings in a memorable final.
The Dragons' journey has been marked by top-order brilliance, innovative leadership, and a relentless focus on nurturing local talent. Players such as R Ashwin, N Jagadeesan, and C Hari Nishaanth have donned the Dragons jersey over the years and helped shape their legacy.
Through a steady managerial setup and a long-term vision, the franchise has made strategic investments in player development and match preparation, transforming near-misses into a championship-winning campaign in 2024.
In the early seasons of the TNPL, the Dindigul Dragons were considered perennial contenders. They reached the finals in both 2018 and 2019, finishing as runners-up on both occasions. Despite these losses, the team continued to rebuild and remain competitive. Their semi-final finishes in 2021 and 2022 further demonstrated their consistency.
However, the most memorable chapter came in 2024, when the Dragons finally lifted their first-ever TNPL trophy. Their journey to the title included a dominant league stage performance, followed by clinical wins in the playoffs, culminating in a thrilling final where they held their nerve under pressure.
In their championship winning year in 2024, Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary Indian off spinner, led the Dragons brilliantly across all facets. As captain, he bowled at 6.9 economy (9 wickets), batted crucial knocks including 52 in the final, and steered the team decisively through playoffs. While the likes of Sandeep Warrier, Varun Chakravarthy, and P Vignesh delivered crucial wicket-taking spells in tight knockout matches.
Heading into TNPL 2025, Dindigul Dragons enter as the defending champions and are among the favorites, with a well-balanced squad that blends flair, experience, and fearlessness.
The Dindigul Dragons TNPL 2025 squad is a balanced combination of young and experienced players. The team is led by Sandeep Warrier, Varun Chakravarthy and Ravichandran Ashwin and also has exciting new players like Baba Indrajith, Vimal Khumar and Ganesan Periyaswamy. In the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2025, Dindigul Dragons are expected to compete for the championship with a powerful lineup of all-rounders and specialist bowlers.
HR Srinivasan is the team head and D.V. Ravi is the CEO of the Dindigul Dragons support staff for the 2025 TNPL. M. Venkataraman will serve as the bowling coach, Srinivasan Rajamani as the batting coach and former Indian cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath as the head coach. Dindigul Dragons will be led by their combined experience in the Tamil Nadu Premier League 2025.
One of the biggest names to don the Dindigul Dragons jersey, Ravichandran Ashwin has been an integral part of the team across multiple seasons. A seasoned campaigner and a legend of Indian cricket, Ashwin brought with him a wealth of experience and tactical brilliance. Not only was he the captain in the earlier editions of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, but he also served as the team's anchor with both bat and ball. His return to the franchise in the victorious 2024 season added a sense of completeness to the Dragons’ campaign. Ashwin’s economical spells and timely breakthroughs were pivotal in helping Dindigul lift their maiden TNPL title.
Ashwin has consistently been among the top wicket-takers for the franchise and his leadership has left a lasting impact on the younger crop of players.
Before rising to fame in the Indian Premier League and earning an India cap, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy made waves with the Dindigul Dragons in the 2018 TNPL season. His unplayable variations and pinpoint accuracy made him a standout performer that year, finishing with 9 wickets at an economy of just 4.70. His performances with Dindigul earned him an IPL contract, marking a breakthrough in his career.
Varun’s spellbinding performances were key to Dindigul’s run to the finals in 2018, and his success story remains closely tied with his stint at the franchise. In 2024, he was once again crucial as the Dragons emerged victorious in TNPL.
A prolific run-scorer for the Dindigul Dragons, Narayan Jagadeesan is one of the most consistent batters in the history of the TNPL. He was the backbone of Dindigul’s batting lineup for several seasons, delivering match-winning knocks and anchoring chases with composure and flair. Jagadeesan played a central role in the team’s top-of-the-table finish in the 2019 and 2021 seasons, often donning the gloves as the side's wicketkeeper.
Jagadeesan remains Dindigul’s all-time leading run scorer and a fan favorite who has grown into one of Tamil Nadu’s premier batters through his time with the Dragons.
An explosive top-order batter, C Hari Nishanth has been a vital cog in the Dindigul Dragons setup for many seasons and was instrumental in their 2024 title-winning campaign. Known for his aggressive stroke play and match-winning abilities, Nishanth has been the aggressor in many powerplay blitzes that have put Dindigul ahead early in games.
His contributions in the 2020 and 2024 seasons cemented his reputation as one of TNPL’s brightest stars, and he remains a key player for the Dragons moving forward.
One of the standout performers in the Dragons' victorious 2024 TNPL season, S Radhakrishnan emerged as a dependable all-rounder. With clutch performances under pressure and contributions with both bat and ball, Radhakrishnan added balance to the side. His temperament in tense run chases and ability to break partnerships made him one of the silent heroes of the championship-winning team.
The 2024 season saw Dindigul Dragons finally ascend to the summit of Tamil Nadu cricket by winning their first TNPL title. Their journey to the championship was marked by clinical execution, excellent leadership from Hari Nishaanth, and valuable contributions across the squad.
Dindigul’s strength lies in their adaptability and bench depth, making them a dangerous side regardless of conditions or opponents
The Dindigul Dragons franchise is owned and managed by TAKE Sports Management Private Limited, spearheaded by Srinivasan H.R and D.V. Ravi, both serving as Directors. Srinivasan H.R., a former civil servant, is also the Chairman and CEO of Navitas Life Sciences and brings decades of expertise across global leadership roles in logistics, capital management, and entrepreneurship. A passionate golf enthusiast, he plays a key role in promoting Indian sports through corporate backing. D.V. Ravi, the Executive Chairman of Shriram Capital, has over three decades of experience in financial services and insurance and is known for his strategic leadership and sportsmanship, having represented Karnataka in chess at the national level.
More Links