TNPL 2016: Kings face acid test against Dragons

In what is effectively a do-or-die situation for Lyca Kovai Kings, they will take on table-toppers Dindigul Dragons in their India Cements TN Premier League match at the India Cements Limited Ground at Sankarnagar, Tirunelveli, on Tuesday.

While Dragons have already qualified for the semifinals, it is a must-win game for Kings. That two-run loss against VB Thiruvallur Veerans hurt the Kings as 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 get runs on the board to finish off close matches.

The Kings have got off to good starts but inconsistency in the middle-order has been an area of concern. They will also hope that the young Tarun Srinivas and the big-hitting R Rohit will contribute more.

Their bowling is competent with M Mohammed leading the attack. Other bowlers like Syed Mohammad, MK Sivakumar and S Harish Kumar have the ability to 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 team dependens on openers. In the last game against Kaalai, Wilkins Victor helped Dragons get past a sticky situation.

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. T Natarajan, who can bowl six yorkers in an over, is Dindigul’s biggest advantage.

Natarajan and left-arm spinner MS Sanjay have been the revelations of the tournament. Even M Ashwin has picked up crucial wickets and has given breakthroughs, as and when needed.

The Dragons are a very strong bowling unit and it will be tough for Kings to get runs off them.

Key Battles: 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?