Siechem Madurai Panthers:
Head Coach: D Ganesh
Captain: NS Chaturved
Tagline: #PoduSakkaPodu
2021 Squad: Shahjahan M, N S Chaturved, Anirudh Sita Ram B, Rajkumar K, Aaditya V, Varun Chakravarthi V, Kiran Aakash L, Aushik Srinivas R, Gowtham V, Silambarasan R, Chandrasekhar D T, Rocky B, Saravanan P, Jhathavedh S, Mithun R, Kousik J, Rohit R, Deeban Lingesh K, Nirmal Kumar P S, Sugendhiran P, K B Arun Karthik, Praveen Kumar P
2022 Squad: Aaditya V, Anirudh Sita Ram B, Arun Karthik KB, Chaturved NS, Rajkumar K, Rithik Easwaran, Thalaivan Sargunam, Vignesh S Iyer, Aushik Srinivas R, Gowtham V, Kiran Akash L, M Ayush, Rocky B, Saravanan P, Silambarasan R, Varun Chakravarthy, Deeban Lingesh K, Kousik J, Mithun R, J Subramanyan, Senthil Nathan S, Sunny Sandhu
For those who had followed the TNPL since its inception in 2016, they would know the history of the Madurai Franchise. The Madurai franchise started as Madurai Super Giants in the first two editions and had really forgettable campaigns. They lost all the matches in the initial edition and lost 6 matches and 1 No result in the 2017 edition. The management and the team re-formed their strategies and drew a new line fresh with the talent and experience mix.
They bounced back in a way no one expected, YES!!, THEY WERE THE CHAMPIONS of 2018 edition and that was a bang comeback from the franchise!!! The team had the experience of Shijit Chandran, D Rohit, KB Arun Karthick to lead them to their maiden title in the third edition of the tournament. The tournament saw the rise of Abhishek Tanwar, leading wicket taker of the tournament with 15 wickets at an economy of 9.07 and also Arun Karthick amassing 472 runs at S/R of 153.75 averaging 78.67. One also needs to know that KB Arun Karthick also played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL under Virat Kohli leadership. The 2018 edition saw the rise of Varun Chakravarthy and the heads turned towards the IPL management and he got a contract in the next edition of IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
KB Arun Karthick
The 2019 edition saw the team continue it’s song by qualifying to the playoffs only to lose to Dindigul Dragons in the Qualifier 2. The 2021 edition was a forgettable one as all had more expectations on the franchise to give a 2018 kind of performance but they were below par and ended up in the 6th position in the points table.
The franchise, as like others, has retained it’s core and has got 5 players in the drafts which was held few months ago. Thalaivan Sargunam X, one of the known faces in the domestic circuit and also in TNPL, returns to the fold after a brief hiatus. He was also part of the SRH setup during the 2013 edition. Sunny Sandhu, an exciting all rounder would be making his chances count to prove his worth and show his talents to the world. Rithik Easwaran, a wicket keeper and also a backup for keeping duties for Arun Karthik would be raring to go and we would get to see if the franchise would hand it’s ropes to new faces this edition. Senthil Nathan, a good medium pacer from Nellai Royal Kings would be waiting to prove his worth in the blue and gold colours this edition.
Thalaivan Sargunam X
The batting department is filled with talented stars who can turn the tables towards themselves. KB Arun Karthik, the leading run scorer for the franchise with 936 runs at an S/R of 146.02 would be sweating hard to continue his form and would be targeting to reach the 1500 run mark in TNPL this edition. New addition Rithik Easwaran may get a nod for opening with the swash buckling Arun Karthik. Anirudh Sita Ram B, one of the pillars of the franchise last edition with the willow would be ready to continue from where he left last edition. Captain NS Chaturved, J Kousik would take care of the middle order and provide the needed impetus.
J Kousik
The all rounders pack is led by Kousik J, who is fondly called as “Puli” (Tiger in English) by his teammates for his fiery pace and variations. He has the ability to swing both ways and build pressure on the opposition so that his support bowlers can fetch wickets with aplomb. Not only does he contribute with the ball, he also blows some with his willow. He is among the top 5 run scorers for the franchise with 195 runs at an S/R of 122.64. Senthil Nathan S, all rounder from the Nellai Royal Kings would join the support for Kousik and strike the opposition at intervals. Mithun R, the retained Panther would like to continue his form with the franchise and hopes for a better outcome this season.
Kiran Akash L
R Silambarasan
The bowlers lineup include the fiery medium pacer Kiran Akash L who clocks around 135-140 kmph. He is among the top three leading wicket takers for the franchise with 21 wickets with an economy of 8.13. Gowtham V, a left arm fast bowler who comes from the Natarajan Cricket Academy in Salem and is a known performer in his circle, would be raring to go and prove his worth in the TNPL. R Silambarasan, another medium pacer would be raring to go and continue his form in the tournament from where he left last edition which led to his maiden call up to the state team for the SMAT and VHT. He took 9 wickets at an economy of 7.11 last edition. Varun Chakravarthi, who got his fame to the IPL and national team from here, would be having all etyes on him on the participation in the tournament this edition. In case if he does not play, Aushik Srinivas would be raring to go. B Rocky, right arm off break, who played two matches last edition and picked 2 wickets would also be in the fray to be a part in the playing XI of the franchise.
Siechem Madurai Panthers start the TNPL 2022 with their opening fixture against Chepauk Super Gillies on June 25 at Tirunelveli Indian Cement Company Grounds. Live streaming would start from 3:15 PM
Probable Playing XI: KB Arun Karthick (WK), Rithik Easwaran, NS Chaturved (C), Anirudh Sita Ram B, Sunny Sandhu / Rajkumar K, Kousik J, R Silambarasan, Aushik Srinivas, Varun Chakravarthy / Senthil Nathan, Gowtham V / K Deeban Lingesh, Kiran Akash.
Nellai Royal Kings:
Head Coach: Shanmugham
Captain: Baba Indrajith
Tagline: #SekkaliSingamla
2021 Squad: H Trilok Nag, CH Jitendra Kumar, Sanjay Yadav R, V Athisayaraj Davidson, T Ajith Kumar, M Abhinav, NS Harish, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, S Sharun Kumar, Baba Indrajith, Baba Aparajith, Ashwath Mukunthan, L Suryap Prakash, S Senthil Nathan,Rohit Ram R, Sarathraj A, Veeramani T, Sri Neranjan R, Vivek R, Suresh C and Arjun P Murthy.
2022 Squad: Ajitesh G, Akash Dev Kumar, Baba Aparajith, Athisayaraj Davidson K, Easwaran K, NS Harish, Baba Indrajith, Jitendra Kumar, Karthick Manikandan VS, Krish Jain, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Rohan M Raju, Rooban Raj M, Sanjay Yadav R, Satheesh Kumar G, M Shahjahan, Sri Neranjan R, Suryapprakash L, T Veeramani, Trilok Nag H, Vikram Jangid.
The strongest asset for a cricket team is the head coach. He leads the team with a calm demeanour whatever be the situation the team is in. But when the coach himself leaves behind an unforgettable scar, how can the team do well? But they did well, yes, I am talking about the VB Kanchi Veerans who were renamed as Nellai Royal Kings last edition. And wonder who is the person I am talking about? It is the legendary VB Chandrasekhar who jittered the team and the TN state by his shocking demise in the 2019 edition of TNPL while coaching the Veerans. He was instrumental in bringing MS Dhoni into the CSK setup in the initial edition of IPL and the rest is history.
VB Kanchi Veerans went past the winning mark dishing out Lyca Kovai Kings by way of NRR for the first time in the history of 4 editions of the tournament in 2019. They were named as VB Thiruvalluvar Veerans in the initial edition of the tournament(2016) before changing their name to VB Kanchi Veerans in 2017. They finished 6th in 2016, 5th in 2017, 7th in 2018 and 4th in 2019. They were unlucky to have lost to the defending champions of 2018, Siechem Madurai Panthers in the Eliminator and couldn't go past the finish mark in the playoffs.
The newly formed Nellai Royal Kings who changing their owners and their base from Kanchipuram to Nellai, were a team to watch out in the 2021 edition of the tournament. The lion hearted duo of Indrajith and Aparajith stitched the team together and believed in their boys more than anyone else and the franchise put up a spirited fight only to lose out to Lyca Kovai Kings in the deciding league match and lost their chance for maiden playoff entry with the new franchise name.
Baba Brothers, Indrajith and Aparajith
The franchise has retained it’s core like the others and has picked as many as 10 refreshing faces to their setup this edition in the mini-drafts which was held last month. They would like to lend their hands to the new faces and allow them to showcase their talent to the numerous TNPL fans across.
The batting department includes the likes of B Aparajith who was the highest run scorer for Kings last season with 181 runs striking at 104.62 averaging 30.17. His highest of 55 for the franchise came against Chepauk Super Gillies wherein he stitched a good partnership with Pradosh Ranjan Paul, another asset for the team. Following Aparajith is Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Sanjay Yadav who are valuable assets in the top 4 of the batting order. Pradosh finished second to the captain with 132 runs at a S/R of 97.06 and his highest score of 62 for the franchise came against the Chepauk Super Gillies. Sanjay Yadav finished third in the franchise’s run getters with 126 runs at a S/R of 151.81. His highest of 41*(26) for the franchise came against Salem Spartans wherein he stitched a valuable partnership of 54 with Pradosh Ranjan Paul.
Pradosh Ranjan Paul
Sanjay Yadav
The Baba twin, B Indrajith who played and captained Ruby Trichy Warriors in the past and also a vital cog for the team finished in the top 5 scorers of NRK with 123 runs with a S/R of 130.85. His contributions down the order was important for the tough battle given by the franchise and his sharp keeping skills helped the franchise a lot. His best of 49*(35) for the franchise came in the ultimate league match of the tournament which was the decider for their chances in the playoffs but he could not take his team home as there were some umpiring errors which led to the defeat for the team.
Trilok Nag
Athisayaraj Davidson
The all rounders and bowling pack looks kind of impressed with Athisayaraj Davidson leading the pack. Athisayaraj is known for his slingy deliveries and also for his power hitting down the order. He took 10 wickets at an economy of 7.29 last edition. Following him is Baba Aparajith and Sanjay Yadav who can bamboozle with their spin. Trilok Nag adds support to the pace department and would love to bowl like his idol, legendary Australian pacer Brett Lee. In an interview to a sports website during the first edition of TNPL, Trilok said, “Brett Lee is my role model. It was really special. I don't think anyone's role model sits next to them and talks to them but I was so grateful that it happened to me. I'm just lucky"
Other upcoming stars in the franchise include L Suryap Prakash, Rooban Raj M (who was picked from iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans), Jitendra Kumar, NS Harish, T Veeramani
Nellai Royal Kings start the TNPL 2022 with their opening fixture against Chepauk Super Gillies on June 23 at Tirunelveli Indian Cement Company Grounds. Live streaming would start from 7:15 PM
Probable Playing XI: L Suryap Prakash, B Aparajith, B Indrajith (C), Pradosh Ranjan Paul (WK), Sanjay Yadav, Sri Neranjan / Jitendra Kumar, Athisayaraj Davidson, Trilok Nag, NS Harish, T Veeramani / Rohan Raju, Rooban Raj M / Satheesh Kumar G
