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Match 18 of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 brings a crucial clash between Lyca Kovai Kings and Nellai Royal Kings , set to be played at the Indian Cement Company Ground in Tirunelveli . With both teams having contrasting starts to the tournament, this match could define their TNPL campaigns.
Lyca Kovai Kings , the runners-up last season, have had a disastrous start — yet to win in four matches and sitting at the bottom of Group A. Meanwhile, Nellai Royal Kings have made a more balanced start, winning two and losing two, currently placed third.
With pressure mounting on LKK, they’ll need a strong collective performance to avoid falling further behind in the standings.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Lyca Kovai Kings vs Nellai Royal Kings |
| Date | 21 june 25 |
| Venue | Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli |
| Time | 7:15 IST |
| Competition | Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Season 9 |
Team Previews
Lyca Kovai Kings Preview
The reigning runners-up Lyca Kovai Kings are struggling badly in TNPL 2025, having lost all four of their games so far. Despite a decent batting lineup, they haven’t clicked as a team and look increasingly under pressure with each passing match.
Captain Shahrukh Khan has been their top scorer with 124 runs from four innings at a strike rate of 149.39 , showing his usual aggression. He’s supported by Balasubramaniam Sachin and C Andre Siddarth , who have also contributed over 100 runs each but haven’t managed big scores consistently.
Their bowling unit is the biggest concern. Jhatavedh Subramanyan and Shahrukh Khan are the only consistent wicket-takers, while others like P Bhuvaneswaran and N Kabilan have lacked impact despite occasional performances.
While there’s enough talent in the squad, poor execution and lack of rhythm have cost them dearly. They’ll need sharp improvements across departments if they are to salvage their season.
A win here could give them much-needed momentum, especially with playoffs still within reach.
Nellai Royal Kings Preview
Nellai Royal Kings have had a mixed campaign so far — two wins and two losses , placing them in third position in Group A . Their batting has looked more stable than most, led by captain Arun Karthik , who has scored 159 runs in three innings at an impressive average of 59 and a strike rate of 162 .
He’s supported by D Santhosh Kumar (131 runs in 4 innings) and Ajitesh Guruswamy , giving the top order strength and depth. Lower-order batters like Sonu Yadav and Muhammed Adnan Khan offer valuable contributions when needed.
In bowling, Sonu Yadav leads the charts with 10 wickets and an economy of 8.64 , making him one of the standout performers in the league. Sachin Rathi and Rocky Bhasker provide control in middle and death overs, while Valliappan Yudheeswaran and Emmanuel Cherian chip in with useful spells.
Nellai have shown they can adapt well to different match situations and have already beaten LKK once this season. If they maintain consistency and execute plans better in crunch moments, they’ll remain a strong playoff contender.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Favourite Team | Reason |
|---|---|
| Nellai Royal Kings | More settled and confident side; won two of four matches and showed resilience in chases. Batting led by Arun Karthik and D Santhosh Kumar. Strong bowling attack featuring Sonu Yadav, Rocky Bhasker, and Sachin Rathi. Lyca Kovai Kings are winless after four matches and struggling for rhythm. Their bowling lacks penetration, and batting hasn’t converted starts into big scores. Historical head-to-head data favors Nellai, and current form makes them clear favorites to extend their winning run against a faltering LKK. |
Fantasy Team XI (with Explanation)
| Player Name | Role | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arun Karthik (c) | Batter / Captain | Nellai Royal Kings | Top scorer; anchors the innings effectively. |
| Shahrukh Khan (vc) | Batter / Vice-Captain | Lyca Kovai Kings | Explosive opener; high fantasy value despite team’s poor record. |
| Sonu Yadav | Bowler | Nellai Royal Kings | Leading wicket-taker; impactful in powerplay and death overs. |
| Balasubramaniam Sachin | Batter | Lyca Kovai Kings | Reliable batter; contributes early stability and decent strike rate. |
| D Santhosh Kumar | Batter | Nellai Royal Kings | Finisher; rotates strike well and contributes consistently. |
| C Andre Siddarth | Batter | Lyca Kovai Kings | Solid opener; ideal for late-innings acceleration. |
| Suresh Lokeshwar (wk) | Wicketkeeper | Lyca Kovai Kings | Safe behind the stumps; supports lower order with aggressive hitting. |
| Rocky Bhasker | Bowler | Nellai Royal Kings | Smart death bowler; took 2 wickets in last game. |
| Jhatavedh Subramanyan | Bowler | Lyca Kovai Kings | Key pacer; takes early wickets and maintains pressure. |
| Emmanuel Cherian | Bowler | Nellai Royal Kings | Control spinner; breaks partnerships and keeps it tight. |
| NS Harish | Batter | Nellai Royal Kings | Dependable middle-order presence; rotates strike well. |
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain : Arun Karthik (NRK) – In-form batter; likely to anchor the innings.
- Vice-Captain : Shahrukh Khan (LKK) – Aggressive opener; high upside in fantasy leagues.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
- Ramalingam Rohit (LKK) – Struggled to make impact recently; inconsistent performance.
- Manimaran Siddharth (LKK) – Lacks big scores or impactful bowling; minimal fantasy value.
Squads
Lyca Kovai Kings Squad
- Shahrukh Khan (c)
- Suresh Lokeshwar (wk)
- Jitendra Kumar
- Balasubramaniam Sachin
- Guru Raghavendran
- N Kabilan
- Madhava Prasad
- Manimaran Siddharth
- Ramalingam Rohit
- P Bhuvaneswaran
- Jhatavedh Subramanyan
- Impact Player: C Andre Siddarth
Nellai Royal Kings Squad
- Arun Karthik (c)
- Ajitesh Guruswamy
- Rithik Easwaran (wk)
- PS Nirmal Kumar
- NS Harish
- Sonu Yadav
- Sachin Rathi
- Muhammed Adnan Khan
- Valliappan Yudheeswaran
- Emmanuel Cherian
- Rocky Bhasker
- Impact Player: D Santhosh Kumar
Probable Playing XI
| Lyca Kovai Kings | Nellai Royal Kings |
|---|---|
| Shahrukh Khan (c) | Arun Karthik (c) |
| Suresh Lokeshwar (wk) | Ajitesh Guruswamy |
| Jitendra Kumar | PS Nirmal Kumar |
| Balasubramaniam Sachin | Rithik Easwaran (wk) |
| C Andre Siddarth | NS Harish |
| Guru Raghavendran | Sonu Yadav |
| N Kabilan | Sachin Rathi |
| Jhatavedh Subramanyan | Muhammed Adnan Khan |
| Ramalingam Rohit | Valliappan Yudheeswaran |
| P Bhuvaneswaran | Emmanuel Cherian |
| Madhava Prasad | Rocky Bhasker |
Pitch Report
- Venue : Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli
- Average First Innings Score : ~157
- Highest Score : 198/4
- Nature of Pitch : Balanced surface; slows down slightly in second innings. Spinners come into play during middle overs.
- Expected Target : 170–180 should be competitive.
- Fielding Advantage : Chasing sides have found success in recent TNPL matches here.
Toss Prediction
- Likely Outcome : Even chance for either side to win the toss.
- Decision : Bowl first. Chasing teams have historically performed better here due to dew and slowing pitch later in the game.
Winner Prediction
Nellai Royal Kings are our predicted winners of this TNPL 2025 encounter. They come into the match with two wins from four , a strong batting lineup , and a more consistent bowling attack .
Arun Karthik and Sonu Yadav are in excellent form, and their team looks more settled than LKK, who are yet to find rhythm despite individual brilliance from Shahrukh Khan.
With better balance, improved coordination, and historical advantage , Nellai should take this one comfortably.
Back Nellai Royal Kings to continue their good run and secure another win in TNPL 2025.
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