TNPL 2016: Chepauk Super Gillies face Lyca Kovai Kings test in Tirunelveli

Chepauk Super Gillies will lock horns with LYCA Kovai Kings in the second India Cements Tamil Nadu Premier League game at the India Cements Limited Cricket Ground, Sankarnagar, Tirunelveli, on Monday. Both teams have with two wins and one loss thus far.

Chepauk lost the opening game of the tournament with a disappointing outing against the Albert TUTI Patriots, but they have regrouped well and notched up wins in consecutive games against Madurai Super Giants and Ruby Kanchi Warriors. Chepauk’s most heartening performance in the tournament came against the Karaikudi Kaalai in Natham, Dindigul.

H Gopinath at the top and R Sathish leading from the front are star performers with the bat for the team. SV Saravanan’s cameo against the Kanchi team at Chennai would instill the faith in the team’s middle order that would help the team to put up good totals on the board.

The bowling has been led by the inspiring Antony Dhas, who is also the highest wicket taker in the tournament. R Alexander, DT Kumaran, Sai Kishore and captain Sathish have struck good form. Add to this, the coming back to form of the experienced Yo Mahesh and Thalaivan Sargunam, and you have a formidable side .

Kovai, after a heartbreak in a super-over loss against the Warriors, have had comprehensive wins against Patriots and Madurai. While their bowling rattled the Patriots with a hat-trick by MK Sivakumar, their batting unit came to the fore against Madurai where they posted the highest total of the tournament. Without M Vijay, the batting order has not looked brittle with L Suryaprakash, B Anirudh, R Rohith making vital contributions.

Tarun Srinivas has been a value add to the team. Bowling wise, they are dependent on M Mohammed, K Vignesh and MK Sivakumar, with the captain Syed Mohammad performing the anchor role. Though Chepauk are better placed than Kovai when it comes to bowling, Kovai would hope to enhance their performance with the ball as well.

Key battle: Antony Dhas versus L Suryaprakash

Suryaprakash looked to be in sublime form before a good catch sent him back in the match against Madurai Super Giants. It would be a captivating contest when Dhas bowls to an aggressive player like Suryaprakash. Whether he goes after him or he plays him for singles is something to look forward to when these two teams meet.