TNPL: Grand Cholas, Kovai Kings brace for battle of equals

Rain has been the most influential player of this TNPL playoffs. It washed out Qualifier 1. It returned for the Eliminator. And now, ahead of Wednesday’s Qualifier 2 at Chepauk, it has given Trichy Grand Cholas a rather useful advantage: if there is no result, it will join Madurai Panthers in the final.

That is because Grand Cholas finished second in the league, one place above Vida Kovai Kings.

If there is cricket, Kovai Kings will rely on a well-rounded bowling attack led by the tournament’s two most economical bowlers.

Left-arm spinner M. Siddharth has nine wickets while conceding just 5.33 an over, and leg-spinner Jhathavedh Subramanyan has 13 at 6.29.

Pacers K. Deeban Lingesh and G. Kishoor, with 12 and 10 wickets respectively, have provided further bite.

With the bat, B. Sachin, the tournament’s second-highest run-getter (377 at 167.55), will be crucial in the top-order.

If he provides the platform, skipper Shahrukh Khan — fresh from an unbeaten 18-ball 59 against Dindigul Dragons — and C. Andre Siddarth can accelerate.

Grand Cholas’ unconventional new-ball pair will pose a different challenge.

K. Easwaran, whose action was inspired by former Pakistan left-armer Sohail Tanvir, leads the wicket charts with 14 wickets, while the slinging Athisayaraj Davidson has taken 10.

With its top three of K. Rajkumar, J. Suresh Kumar, and S. Shyam Sundar forming the batting core, and Sanjay Yadav and R. Rajkumar providing the late flourish, Grand Cholas have the ammunition for another crack at the final, weather permitting.