3 things to watch out for in TNPL 2024 final ft. Ravichandran Ashwin's all-round show
Lyca Kovai Kings take on Dindigul Dragons in the all-glittering final of Tamil Nadu Premier League 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, August 4.
While Kovai qualified to play in the final by virtue of their win over Tiruppur Tamizhans in Qualifier 1, Dindigul beat Chepauk Super Gillies in the Eliminator and Tiruppur in Qualifier 2 to reach here.
Both teams will be keen on setting early markers and hope that they are able to live up to the standards that they have showcased throughout the competition, be it with bat or ball in hand.
Kovai may have a slight advantage as they were ranked right on top of the league table at the end of the round-robin phase with six wins out of seven games while Dindigul were ranked fourth with just four victories to their name.
In this listicle, we take a look at three things to watch out for in the final game:
#1 Sai Sudharsan's batting
Sai Sudharsan is one of the biggest stars on the rise for Tamil Nadu and India at the moment, and it will be interesting to see how he bats in the final for Lyca Kovai Kings.
If his current form is anything to go by, one would expect him to go great guns as he comes into this game on the back of a splendid century in Qualifier 1 against the Tiruppur Tamizhans.
In the games prior to Qualifier 1, his scores read 22, 34 and 33, which means that he has got off to good starts in almost every game that he has played in this tournament.
Kovai will be desperately hoping for him to come good in this game so that they do not have to worry about anything at the top of their batting order.
Sudharsan will be critical for them both while batting first or second given that he has the ability to either set up a big score on the board for his team or chase one down.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin's all-round show
India legend and one of the finest off-break bowlers in the world, Ravichandran Ashwin will lead Dindigul Dragons in the final game of TNPL 2024 against Lyca Kovai Kings, as he has been doing all season.
The 37-year-old has been in excellent nick throughout this tournament both with the bat and the ball, and he has done exceedingly well with the former in the last two matches that his team has played.
Stepping up in the crucial playoff stage of the tournament, Ashwin struck 57 against Chepauk Super Gillies in the Eliminator and an unbeaten 69 against Tiruppur Tamizhans two days later in Qualifier 2, both of them in the top order.
His bowling has been in fine fettle as always, and one would expect him to rip into his opponents in the final as well.
Apart from his cricketing skills, Ashwin has been making the news lately for the way he is handling himself when put under stress. His emotions will be watched widely too.
#3 Shahrukh Khan's captaincy
Shahrukh Khan, who will face off against Ravichandran Ashwin in the key captain's battle in the final of TNPL 2024 on Sunday, will have to take Kovai's responsibilities upon his shoulders.
He has been in exquisite form with the bat in hand, having struck half-centuries in the last three innings he has batted in - 50, 51 and 51 not out.
As much as his batting has inspired Kovai in this tournament, his shrewd field placements as well as smart rotation of bowlers have also been among the talking points.
He will be under the limelight in this game as well, and one expects the 29-year-old to stand firm to the challenges coming his way and hold his own, while hoping to lead his team to the title.