TNPL 2016: Madurai look for first win against Karaikudi

It’s a do or die game for both teams

In a must-win match for both sides, the Madurai Super Giants will look to get their first points on the board while Karaikudi Kaalai will look to keep winning in a Cements Tamil Nadu Premier League match at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.

In a battle trying to get away from the bottom of the points table, Karaikudi Kaalai and Madurai Super Giants face off at the MA Chidambaram on September 6. Karaikudi finally opened their account winning a low-scoring thriller against the Albert TUTI Patriots in their last outing. Madurai Super Giants came close to notching their first win against Lyca Kovai Kings but fell short by 10 runs in a high-scoring game.

Karaikudi will hope for a more consistent display with the bat, especially from their openers Vijay Kumar and Aniruda S. Skipper Badrinath batted beautifully in the last game and set up the win for his side. The lack of runs from the top and middle order will be a priority.

Anirudha S will also hope to join the party and score some runs for his side. The Karaikudi’s strength lies in their bowling. Ganapathi Chandrasekar, Rajkumar R and Sonu Yadav have had great fortune with the ball and will look to continue with their good efforts.

Madurai Super Giants have a good unit but all departments have been unable to click together in a game. The lack of partnerships has hurt the side and this has cost them a game or two. The return of captain Arun Karthik to the side is a massive boost for them and he brought them close to a victory with some lofty blows. All-rounder Shijit Chandran is a crucial player in the squad.

He has been one of the most economical bowlers in the league, conceding only 5.4 runs per over, and he is also a quick scorer. Madurai have an array of bowlers at their disposal and will be looking to hit the right length and find the perfect line to unsettle the opposition batsmen.

Key contest: The wily right arm off spin of Shijith Chandran against the experienced batting of S Badrinath should be a treat to watch.