Published: Sep 13, 2016, 12:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 13, 2016, 01:14 PM (IST)
In what is effectively a do-or-die situation for Lyca Kovai Kings, they will take on table-toppers Dindigul Dragons in their TNPL match at the India Cements Limited Ground at Sankarnagar, Tirunelveli, on Tuesday. While Dragons have already qualified for the semifinals, still it is a must-win game for Kings. That two-run loss against VB Thiruvallur Veerans hurt Kings, since a win would have reduced the pressure relatively. Kings were cruising at one point in that game, but a few tight overs coupled with a good last over by Rahil Shah restricted them. They will also hope that their middle-order fires and helps them to get runs on board to finish off close matches. ALSO READ: DDD vs LKK, Live Streaming: Watch TNPL 2016, Match 26, Live telecast on TV
Kings have got off to good starts but inconsistency in the middle-order is an area of concern. They will also hope that the young Tarun Srinivas and the big-hitting R Rohit will help them win, provided the game goes to the end. Even their bowling is decent with M Mohammed leading the attack. Also, others like Syed Mohammad, MK Sivakumar and S Harish Kumar chip in with useful overs. Death bowling is an area of concern for Kings, as their bowlers have leaked valuable runs in the last four overs. Dragons on the other hand are the first team to qualify for the semifinals.
The middle-order batting is still a worry as the team lacks finishers, and the dependency on openers is also high. But, in the last game against Kaalai, Wilkins Victor helped Dragons get past a sticky situation. Even Ganga Sridhar Raju’s unbeaten half-century will have done his confidence a world of good. Dragons also have the in-form N Jagadeesan, who has been consistently getting runs at the top. A good knock from him may be invaluable for the team, going into the business end of the tournament. Also, T Natarajan, who can bowl six yorkers in an over, is Dindigul’s biggest advantage. Not to forget, Natarajan and left-arm spinner MS Sanjay have been the revelations of the tournament.
Even Murugan Ashwin has picked up crucial wickets, and has given breakthroughs, as and when needed. It may be noted that Dragons are a very strong bowling unit and it will be tough for Kings to get runs off them.
It will be an interesting tussle between T Natarajan and Anirudh Sitaram. Can the aggressiveness of Sitaram come off good against Natarjan’s deadly yorkers? ALSO READ: TNPL 2016: DD ease through to the playoffs, following 7-wicket win over KK
Raju who was the star of Dragons’ Raju, after the match previous match said he had always preferred opening the innings as to the middle-order he is playing currently. The preparations have been intense the Dragons and are ready to play as per their strengths be it the league matches or the semi-final.
However, Dragons have not shown any innovative shots during TNPL and Raju feels batsmen play typical copybook cricket shots for a long time. Those are the same shots witnessed in T20 tournaments as well. Most of the players from these teams are playing for the first time in such tournament, which makes one feel the shots look rather sloppy.
Raju was known to play aggressive shots and this time around he wants to continue with the same and prefers to play aggressively as that is what the game demands. However, if he needs to play pace innings, then he has to adjust as per what the situation demands.
Meanwhile, Kings opener L Surayaprakash has different opinions and spoke after their previous match against Veerans. Suryaprakash has always played at the top and he if the situation demands he has no issues playing down the order as well.
Talking about the positives regarding Kings in TNPL, Suryaprakash feels the team has gelled well. They have done well in certain departments but are yet to get better in certain aspects like complimenting bowling as well batting.
Kings have never come forward and put up a team performance, which is the aspect Suryaprakash feels will need to change in the upcoming matches. Suryaprakash has not been consistent enough with regards to his innings. He will need to get better and especially in a do and die situation, he will have to keep his best foot forward.
Surprisingly, Natarajan from Dragons has been compared to Bangaldesh’s great Mustafizur Rahman and on speaking about that, he was embarrassed and felt he was no where near to the great. Natarajan has been learning yorkers right since the beginning. That has helped to better his game in every match. ALSO READ: TNPL 2016, Dragons vs Kaalai, Preview and Predictions
Dragons being spin heavy-team, Natarajan comes as a boon for them and has worked wonders for his side in every passing game. Considering, R Ashwin comes with experience playing in the national side, Natarajan credits him for providing him all the ideas and the experience that he provides to the young bowlers in the team.
Kings have decent batting line-up as well so Natarajan will have to better his bowling spell. Considering bowling in death overs come naturally to him, he is comfortable bowling both ways be it slow or fast deliveries. Natarajan also wants to concentrate on bouncers as that could pose further threat to the opponents.
Harish Kumar of Kings felt regretful after his loss in the previous match against Veerans. Kumar felt his low bowling tactic was the reason for their loss and will look to improve from that aspect in the future matches. Kings will need to win this game and Dragons wash them out, then this could be their final match in TNPL.
Squads:
Lyca Kovai Kings: Adhithya Giridhar, S Ajith Ram, Devendra Anchit, JS Mohammad (c), B Anirudh Sita Ram, Ravi Kumar Rohith (wk), B Arun, K Gowtham Thamarai Kannan, S Harish Kumar, Murugesan Kamlesh, M Mohammed, Vijay Shankar, MK Sivakumar, Akshay Srinivasan, L Suryaprakash, S Tarun Srinivas, Krishnamoorthy Vignesh, Murali Vijay
Dindigul Dragons: N Jagadeesan (wk), Ganga Sridhar Raju, Subramania Siva (c), T Natarajan, Sunny Kumar Singh, Ashwin Venkataraman, Wilkins Victor, S Abishiek, Murugan Ashwin, Adithya Arun, S Dinesh, VRS Guru Kedarnath, D Prashanth Prabhu, MS Sanjay, S Shyam Sundar, M Silambarasan, R Vivek, ME Yazh Arun Mozhi, K Mukunth, S Raghunath, Ravichandran Ashwin
