The team's form is up-down this time. In the last 5 matches, they won only 2 and lost 3. In the last match, Lyca Kovai Kings defeated them by 67 runs. In bowling, Sonu Yadav and Sachin Rathi took 2 wickets each and gave a bit of fight, but while chasing the target of 165, the team was all-out for just 98. Sonu Yadav did score 23 and Adnan Khan scored 26 runs, but did not get support from anyone else. If NRK has to remain in the playoff race, then winning this match is a must for them.
The form of the Dragons is decent. They have won 3 out of the last 5 matches and are currently at 3rd spot in the table. In the last match they defeated Salem Spartans by 2 wickets. Salem had made a big score of 188 but Ashwin broke their flow by taking 3 wickets. The team showed collective effort in the chase where Honey Saini, Ashwin and Shivam Singh twins made 30+ scores. This team chases calmly even under pressure and their balance now looks quite strong.
The Tirunelveli surface has consistently been an even playing field in TNPL. Runs are scored here and wickets also drop. If a batsman knows his game and executes shots, then this pitch is advantageous for him. However, for someone who swings recklessly, this pitch can also be challenging. A total of 188 has been chased successfully here, while another team has struggled to reach 100.
It all relies on how the players execute; the field is uniform for all. This pitch only benefits players who exhibit disciplined cricket. Strike the incorrect ball, honor the right one – it’s an easy equation. Suresh Lokeshwar's 90th innings exemplified this perfectly, as he demonstrated a calm and intelligent strategy. In this situation, those who attempt to rush leave, while those who remain patient proceed to triumph in the game. In this game as well, the team that operates more calmly and wisely has greater chances of victory
Nellai Royal Kings and Dindigul Dragons are ready to battle it out for the sixth time in TNPL history. In the previous five matches, Nellai Royal Kings somehow managed to win four matches against Dindigul Dragons. This is one of the most surprising battles in TNPL because Dindigul Dragons are one of the best teams of TNPL and Nellai Royal Kings dominance over them is a surprise.
The last match between Nellai Royal Kings and Dindigul Dragons was in TNPL 2024 where Nellai Royal Kings defeated Dindigul Dragons by 4 wickets in a thriller match. Dindigul Dragons scored 136 runs as they were asked to bat first. Shivam Singh scored 70 runs being the sole player who did well in the batting department for Dindigul Dragon in that match. Sonu Yadav took two wickets while other bowlers took one wicket each. While chasing Arun Karthik and Ajitesh Guruswamy scored 45 and 43 runs respectively. However Dindigul Dragons fought till the end and took the match till 18th over but NS Harish finished things off in style for Nellai Royal Kings.
Ajitesh Guruswamy, Arun Karthik(c), NS Harish, Rithik Easwaran(w), Athish SR, Muhammed Adnan Khan, Sonu Yadav, Sachin Rathi, Rocky Bhasker, Emmanuel Cherian, Valliappan Yudheeswaran
Injury Update: None
Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Shivam Singh, Baba Indrajith(w), Hunny Saini, R K Jayant, Maan Bafna, M Karthik Saran, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sandeep Warrier, DT Chandrasekar, Ganeshan Periyaswamy
Injury Updates: None
Keepers: Arun Karthik, Baba Indrajith
Batters: Shivam Singh, S Kumar Duraisamy, Mohammad Adnan Khan
All-rounders: Ravi Ashwin, Sonu Yadav, NS Harish
Bowlers: Sachin Rathi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ganeshan Periyaswamy
Ravi Ashwin
Sonu Yadav
Shivam Singh
Sachin Rathi
Keepers: Arun Karthik, Baba Indrajith
Batters: Shivam Singh, G Ajitesh
All-rounders: Ravi Ashwin, Sonu Yadav
Bowlers: Sachin Rathi, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ganeshan Periyaswamy, Valliappan Yudheeswaran, Rocky Bhasker
Baba Indrajith
G Ajitesh
Ganeshan Periyaswamy
Valliappan Yudheeswaran / Rocky Bhasker
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