Dindigul, Madurai battle for spot in TNPL final

Both teams will look to seal their maiden appearance in the final. The winner of the riveting encounter will directly secure a place in the grand finale to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, while the losing side will travel to Natham, Dindigul, to play the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 on Friday, for another shot for a place in the summit clash.

The third edition of the TNPL will have a new champion after both the previous winners, Chepauk Super Gillies and Tuti Patriots, failed to qualify for the Playoffs. 

Both Dindigul Dragons and Madurai Panthers ended the league stage with five wins from seven games, with the former earning pride of place on superior Net Run Rate. Dindigul Dragons won its meeting in the league phase. Dindigul Dragons, which finished sixth on the league table last year, has been very impressive this season. In-form ’keeper-batsman Narayan Jagadeesan (302 runs, 3 fifties) has also led the side admirably after regular skipper Ravichandran Ashwin left for the England Test series.

Dindigul Dragons’ batting has been formidable with at least five batsmen registering fifties. Meanwhile, Madurai Panthers won five straight matches before being humbled by Kovai Kings in its concluding league fixture, where it fell by eight wickets in a low-scoring fixture. 

Madurai Panthers, which didn’t win a single game in the previous two seasons, has displayed fine all-round performances this time around.