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The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 continues with an exciting clash between Nellai Royal Kings and Trichy Grand Cholas , two teams that missed out on the playoffs last season. Both sides will be eager to start this campaign on a positive note.
The match is scheduled to take place at the SNR College Cricket Stadium in Coimbatore , which has historically favored bowlers, especially during the middle overs. With both teams having had mixed results in recent outings, this encounter could go either way depending on how their key players perform under pressure.
Match Details
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Nellai Royal Kings vs Trichy Grand Cholas |
| Date | [Insert Date] |
| Venue | SNR College Cricket Stadium, Coimbatore |
| Time | [Insert Time] IST |
| Competition | Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Season 9 |
Team Previews
Nellai Royal Kings Preview
Nellai Royal Kings are entering TNPL 2025 with a slightly reshaped squad after finishing mid-table last season with three wins from seven matches. The team is led by Arun Karthik , who returns as captain and will also open the innings alongside Muhammad Adnan Khan .
With the absence of key batters like Nidish Rajgopal and experienced all-rounder R Silambarasan , the batting order looks a bit untested. Ajitesh Guruswamy will play a crucial role at number 3, while Rocky Bhasker and Ajay Krishna provide support in the middle order.
The lower-middle order features Rithik Easwaran , Sonu Yadav , and Emmanuel Cherian , who will need to finish the innings strongly. Bowling responsibilities will fall heavily on Sonu Yadav and Emmanuel Cherian , supported by NS Harish and R Valliappan Yudheeswaran .
Despite the lack of specialist bowlers, the team relies on its all-rounders to contribute with both bat and ball. If they can adapt quickly to the conditions, NRK could surprise many this season.
Trichy Grand Cholas Preview
Trichy Grand Cholas have retained most of their core from last year’s squad and look more settled heading into TNPL 2025. They defeated Nellai Royal Kings in their previous meeting and will be confident of repeating the result.
The batting lineup is led by opener Waseem Ahmed and now includes Jagatheesan Kousik , who brings experience and aggression to the top order. Middle-order batters SP Vinod and Suresh Kumar offer depth, while all-rounders Sanjay Yadav and R Rajkumar add flexibility.
Skipper Antony Dhas leads the bowling unit, supported by V Athisayaraj Davidson , P Saravana Kumar , and N Selva Kumaran — a balanced attack capable of picking up early wickets and containing runs in the middle overs.
Their combination of strong batting depth and consistent bowling makes them one of the better-placed teams in the group stage. With good team cohesion, they’ll aim to build momentum early in the tournament.
Favourite Team to Win Today’s Match
| Favourite Team | Reason (100 words) |
|---|---|
| Trichy Grand Cholas | Stronger squad balance, retained key players, and superior bowling options. Have beaten NRK before and come into the game with better team structure and depth. NRK are rebuilding and missing some key contributors. Cholas’ batting depth and leadership give them the edge in what is expected to be a low-scoring match. |
Fantasy Team XI (with Explanation)
| Player Name | Role | Team | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waseem Ahmed | Batter / Wicketkeeper | TGC | Dependable opener; contributes consistently with the bat. |
| Jagatheesan Kousik | Batter | TGC | Experienced batter; provides stability at the top. |
| SP Vinod | Batter | TGC | Solid middle-order presence; useful for strike rotation. |
| Antony Dhas (c) | All-rounder / Captain | TGC | Leadership role; valuable contributions with bat and ball. |
| Sanjay Yadav | All-rounder | TGC | Impact player in crunch moments; effective death bowler. |
| Sonu Yadav | Bowler / Vice-Captain | NRK | Key bowler for NRK; capable of picking multiple wickets. |
| V Athisayaraj Davidson | Bowler | TGC | Experienced pacer; takes early wickets and maintains control. |
| Emmanuel Cherian | Bowler | NRK | Reliable with the new ball; economical and consistent. |
| Rithik Easwaran | Batter | NRK | Finisher; adds late-innings punch. |
| Arun Karthik | Batter / Captain | NRK | Senior batter and leader; anchors the innings effectively. |
| Ajitesh Guruswamy | Batter | NRK | Stable middle-order option; rotates strike well. |
Captain & Vice-Captain Suggestions
- Captain : Antony Dhas (TGC) – Leader of a strong team; contributes regularly in both departments.
- Vice-Captain : Sonu Yadav (NRK) – Top wicket-taking threat for NRK; fantasy points potential.
Players to Avoid in Fantasy Teams
- Rajkumar R (TGC) – Limited impact recently; not a regular run-getter or wicket-taker.
- Muhammad Adnan Khan (NRK) – Unproven at the top; lacks consistency in high-pressure games.
Squads
Nellai Royal Kings Squad
- Arun Karthik (c)
- Muhammad Adnan Khan
- Ajitesh Guruswamy
- Rocky Bhasker
- Ajay Krishna
- Rithik Easwaran (wk)
- Sonu Yadav
- J Rohan
- NS Harish
- R Valliappan Yudheeswaran
- Emmanuel Cherian
Trichy Grand Cholas Squad
- Antony Dhas (c)
- Waseem Ahmed (wk)
- Jagatheesan Kousik
- SP Vinod
- Suresh Kumar
- Sanjay Yadav
- R Rajkumar
- P Saravana Kumar
- V Athisayaraj Davidson
- N Selva Kumaran
- T Saran
Probable Playing XI
| Nellai Royal Kings | Trichy Grand Cholas |
|---|---|
| Arun Karthik (c) | Waseem Ahmed (wk) |
| Muhammad Adnan Khan | Jaffar Jamal |
| Ajitesh Guruswamy | Jagatheesan Kousik |
| Rocky Bhasker | SP Vinod |
| Ajay Krishna | Suresh Kumar |
| Rithik Easwaran | Antony Dhas (c) |
| Sonu Yadav | T Saran |
| J Rohan | P Saravana Kumar |
| NS Harish | Sanjay Yadav |
| R Valliappan Yudheeswaran | R Rajkumar |
| Emmanuel Cherian | V Athisayaraj Davidson |
Pitch Report
- Venue : SNR College Cricket Stadium, Coimbatore
- Average First Innings Score : ~139
- Highest Score : 182/6 (last match between these two teams)
- Nature of Pitch : Bowling-friendly surface with assistance for pacers due to movement through the air. Spinners may get grip later in the innings.
- Expected Target : 165–170 should be competitive.
- Fielding Advantage : Chasing teams have won 8 out of the last 10 TNPL matches here.
Toss Prediction
- Likely Outcome : Even chance for either side to win the toss.
- Decision : Bowl first. Historical data favors chasing teams; dew and visibility favor second innings.
Winner Prediction
Trichy Grand Cholas are our predicted winners of this TNPL 2025 encounter. They have retained most of their successful core from last season and boast a stronger bowling attack and deeper batting line-up. Nellai Royal Kings are still adjusting to several changes in their squad, making it harder for them to find rhythm early.
Cholas’ experience and better team balance make them the safer bet for this match.
Back Trichy Grand Cholas to start their TNPL 2025 campaign with a win.
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