TNPL ready for a new order

The top two sides from the league stage will square off once again when Dindigul Dragons takes on Madurai Panthers in the 2018 Tamil Nadu Premier League final at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday. 

With this being the maiden final for both the teams, a new champion will emerge. Surprisingly, the finalists in the first two editions – Chepauk Super Gillies and Tuti Patriots – have failed to qualify for the playoffs. While Tuti failed to make it to the last four by a whisker, Super Gillies were out of contention after four losses in its initial four games. Dindigul Dragons topped the league stage points table and defeated Madurai Panthers comfortably in Qualifier 1 in Natham (Dindigul) to be the first team to book a spot in the final. Madurai Panthers, on the other hand, overcame Kovai Kings in Qualifier 2 to set up the summit clash against Dindigul Dragons.

Madurai Panthers, which was winless for 14 consecutive matches across three seasons, will aim to complete its fairytale season by finishing as champion. Madurai has a solid bowling attack and an experienced batting unit but will have to come up with a special performance if it is to defeat the mighty Dindigul Dragons. Dragons’ batsmen failed to score many runs off mystery spinner CV Varun’s bowling during the first qualifier. Varun once again backed it up with another impressive against Abhinav Mukund-led Kings. Madurai will be particularly impressed by the form of opener KB Arun Karthik, who has laid a strong foundation in almost every match.

Ravichandran Ashwin captained the Dragons during the initial phase but the baton was passed to Narayanan Jagadessan as the former is the first choice spinner in the ongoing Test series against England. From the start, Dindigul Dragons has proved to be an excellent batting side. Hari Nishaanth, R Vivek and NS Chaturved are in good form with the bat, while M Mohammed and leg-spinner Mohan Abhinav have been consistent with the ball. R Vivek has produced some match-winning contributions, scoring at a strike-rate of over 200.

Strengths: Strong batting unit. Captain N Jagadeesan is the third highest run-getter in the tournament with 345 runs. Hari Nishaanth and R Vivek occupy the 6th and 7th spot respectively in the runs-tally

Weaknesses: Although it bowled well in the last match, it had a solid total to defend. The inexperienced bowling attack still has a point to prove

Opportunities: Jagadeesan took over the following R Ashwin’s departure for the England Test series after three matches. Young Jagadeesan can take Dindigul Dragons to its maiden title

Threats: Dragons has a tendency of losing quick wickets in the death overs. A poor finish may cost it the championship.

Strengths: Opener KB Arun Karthik starred in the team’s win over Kovai Kings and is in very good form. He is the tournament’s leading run-getter with 397 runs, including five fifties

Weaknesses: Apart from Arun Karthik, no one else has been consistent with the bat. Its second-highest run-getter is Thalaivan Sargunam with 191 runs

Opportunities: Panthers failed to defeat Dindigul Dragons even once in four meetings over three seasons. This is a golden chance to snap the losing streak

Threats: Panthers’ bowling was ineffective in Qualifier 1, it will have to come up with something new.