TNPL 2023: Match Preview NRK vs SMP- Pitch Report, Predicted XI, and Match Winning Prediction
Lyca Kovai Kings have reached the TNPL 2023 finals by defeating Dindigul Dragons in the qualifier 1. Lyca smashed a mammoth total of 193 runs while batting first. B Sachin smashed 70 off just 46 deliveries and helped his team reach a winning total. Dindigul Dragons fell short by 30 runs and will play the qualifier 2. On the other hand, Lyca Kovai Kings have reached the finals of the TNPL 2023.
The eliminator match between Nellai Royal Kings and Siechem Madurai Panthers is set to take place today. The SFC ground of Salem will host its last match of the season in the form of this contest. Both teams are coming off with a win in their last league games. Nellai finished at the third spot with five wins, while Siechem won four out of the seven league games. The winner of this match will play against Dindigul Dragons in the qualifier 2.
Washington Sundar is not available for the SMP, as he is representing South Zone in Duleep Trophy. Captain Hari and the team will feel his absence, but they have won the last game without him and would look to continue the same momentum.
Out of the last six seasons of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Nellai has managed to reach twice. Can they pull out something off from this playoffs as their third time? On the other hand, Siechem Madurai Panthers have reached the playoffs four times, including TNPL 2023 season. They have one title as well, which they won in 2018.
Nellai Royal Kings vs Siechem Madurai Panthers
Pitch Report
The Salem pitch offers an edge to the spinners. The ball grips well with the surface and tends to cause disturbance to the batters. It gets easier to score once a batter spends time in the middle. Qualifier 1 was played on a similar pitch which produced over 350 runs. We can expect some runs to flow on this sticky type of wicket.
Weather Report
The weather seems to be a bit humid out there in Salem and looks like the range of temperature will be around 22 to 33 degrees Celsius.
NRK vs SMP: What to expect?
We can expect a high-scoring game, but with a slow start, or the teams can have a collapse. Both the teams have bowlers of high calibre in Gurjapneet Singh Murugan Ashwin and M Poiyamozhi. A close encounter between these two teams will be a treat to the spectators.
Head To Head
On the last occasion when these two teams met, NRK came out as winners. SMP managed to score just 126 while batting first, and NRK chased down the total in just 14 overs. SMP is coming off in this game with high confidence and would look to turn the results in their favor this time. While NRK knows how to dominate a team and will try to dominate SMP in this Eliminator.
Probable Best Performers
Gurjapneet Singh: The left-arm quick bowler of Siechem has shown his class. He is a wicket-taking bowler and knows the right areas to bowl. With 13 wickets in just seven games, Singh is one of the leading wicket-takers of the TNPL 2023. He is not just good at taking wickets, he has been economical as well. Siechem would need Gurjapneet to give his all in this game and help them in moving ahead in the tournament.
Ajitesh Guruswamy: If any batter has shown consistency from Nellai Royal Kings, it’s none other than Ajitesh. He is the fourth-highest run scorer of the TNPL 2023. With 265 runs in just seven innings, he has been a key player in NRK’s success. If he gets going tonight, then NRK will face no difficulties in winning this game.
Probable Playing XI’s
Nellai Royal Kings Playing XI: Arun Karthik (c), Lakshay Jain S, Rithik Easwaran (wk), Ajitesh Guruswamy, Laxmesha Suryaprakash, Sonu Yadav, Nidhish Rajagopal, M Poiyamozhi, S Mohan Prasath, Sandeep Warrier, T Veeramani
Siechem Madurai Panthers Playing XI: Hari Nishanth (c), V Aaditya, Jagatheesan Kousik, S Sri Abisek, Anton A Subikshan, Swapnil Singh, Suresh Lokeshwar (wk), Murugan Ashwin, P Saravanan, Gurjapneet Singh, Ajay Krishna
Today Match Prediction
Out of seven games this season, Nellai Royal Kings has won five. On the other hand, SMP lost their first three games and managed to win four games consecutively. Hari and the company are high on confidence and are on a winning streak. While Nellai has been consistent in the tournament and has dominated even the SMP. Nellai Royal Kings have a higher chance to defeat the Siechem Madurai Panthers and reach Qualifier 2 to play Dindigul Dragons.
