CHENNAI: Persistent rain forced the TNPL 2026 Qualifier 1 clash between Madurai Panthers and Trichy Grand Cholas to be called off at the M A Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday, with Madurai advancing directly to the final by virtue of finishing on top of the league-stage points table.
Madurai Panthers won the toss and opted to bowl first, with Gurjapneet Singh making an immediate impact by dismissing Trichy captain Suresh Kumar with the first delivery. After the initial rain interruption, the match was reduced to 13 overs a side. However, another spell of heavy rain prevented further play and the match was eventually abandoned.
Trichy Grand Cholas were 49 for one in 4.5 overs when play was stopped. K Rajkumar was unbeaten on 38 off 22 balls, while Gurjapneet Singh returned figures of one for six from his one over. With no further play possible, Madurai progressed to the TNPL 2026 final as the top-ranked team from the league stage. The Panthers became the first team to secure a place in the title clash.
Trichy Grand Cholas, who finished second in the league standings, will get another opportunity to reach the final through Qualifier 2. Madurai Panthers captain Anirudh Sita Ram said the team's consistency throughout the season had earned them the direct spot in the final.
“I’m very happy and proud of the team. It has been a collective effort, and finishing top of the table earned us a direct spot in the final,” he said. Calling it his first opportunity to win the TNPL as captain, Anirudh said the rain washout was unfortunate but added that the team would look to make the most of the opportunity.
Trichy captain Suresh Kumar said the weather was beyond their control and that the team would now focus on Qualifier 2. “We would have preferred a full game, but there was nothing we could do. We treated this like any other league fixture, knowing we had another chance,” he said.
Brief scores: Trichy Grand Cholas 49/1 in 4.5 overs (K Rajkumar 38no); match abandoned due to rain. Madurai Panthers advanced to the TNPL 2026 final by virtue of finishing top of the league table.