Room for improvement: Last year’s top teams, including Shahrukh’s Kovai Kings, have had a disappointing campaign so far.
| Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY
The big talking point heading into the Salem leg of the ninth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) is the form of defending champion Dindigul Dragons and last season’s runner-up Lyca Kovai Kings.
The two have endured a disappointing start to the season, with no wins to their names, and find themselves at the bottom of the standings. The action-packed first leg has surprisingly been far from a run-fest, with only one team (Chepauk Super Gillies 212 for seven vs Nellai Royal Kings) breaching the 200-run mark so far.
Dindigul Dragons captain and former India international R. Ashwin added to the drama with his dissent over an umpiring decision during his team’s clash against the Tiruppur Tamizhans.
Among the other highlights was pacer R. Sonu Yadav’s hat-trick for the Nellai Royal Kings against the Trichy Grand Cholas.
With all eight teams having played two matches each, four-time champion Chepauk Super Gillies and the in-form SKM Salem Spartans have emerged as the early front-runners, currently occupying the top two spots on the points table.
The second leg gets underway here on Friday, and the teams will be eager to recalibrate their strategies and adapt to the new conditions. Another thrilling week beckons.
Published – June 12, 2025 07:46 pm IST
