Varun Chakravarthy in action | Source: Twitter
The second qualifier of the TNPL 2023 season will be played between Dindigul Dragons and Nellai Royal Kings in Tirunelveli. The match marks their second meeting this year and the winner will set a date with Lyca Kovai Kings at the final on July 12.
Dindigul Dragons’ high-flying campaign this season was disrupted by table-toppers Lyca Kovai Kings in the first qualifier. Earlier in the group stage of the tournament, the Dragons secured six wins from their seven appearances to finish second on the TNPL 2023 points. Interestingly, the sole defeat they suffered at the initial round also came against the Kovai Kings.
Nellai Royal Kings, on the other hand, finished third on the eight-team standings to qualify for the playoffs. They registered five wins from their seven fixtures, and thumped fourth-placed Siechem Madurai Panthers at the subsequent Eliminator in Salem.
In a head-to-head battle between the two sides, it is the Dragons who hold the edge with a 3-2 lead. They also upstaged the Royal Kings in their previous meeting earlier this season, defeating them by seven wickets in a final-over run-chase.
Match Details
Date and Time: July 10, 7:15 PM IST
Venue: Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli
Live Streaming and Broadcast: FanCode & Star Sports Network
Pitch Report
The surface at the Indian Cement Company Ground is generally considered to be favourable for spinners, with something on offer for the pacers as well. The average first innings score at the venue off late has been 151. Teams will prefer to chase upon winning the toss, considering the chasing sides have enjoyed a better track record here.
Probable Playing XIs
Dindigul Dragons: Vimal Khumar, Shivam Singh, Baba Indrajith (c & wk), Adithya Ganesh, Boopathi Kumar, Suboth Bhati, P Saravana Kumar, M Mathivannan, Varun Chakaravarthy, Aushik Srinivas and G Kishoor.
Nellai Royal Kings: Arun Karthik (c), Lakshay Jain S, Rithik Easwaran (wk), Ajitesh Guruswamy, Laxmesha Suryaprakash, Sonu Yadav, NS Harish, M Poiyamozhi, S Mohan Prasath, Sandeep Warrier and T Veeramani.
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper: Baba Indrajith, Rithik Easwaran, Ajitesh Guruswamy
Batters: Vimal Khumar, Nidhish Rajagopal, C Sarath Kumar
All-Rounders: P Saravana Kumar
Bowlers: Varun Chakaravarthy, Suboth Bhati, M Poiyamozhi, Sandeep Warrier
Captain: Baba Indrajith
Vice-Captain: C Sarath Kumar
Prediction
Dindigul Dragons will start out as favourites to upstage Nellai Royal Kings in the second qualifier.
 "Aakash Saini")
