5 TNPL 2024 stars who could get their maiden IPL contract in 2025 ft. Abhishek Tanwar & Tushar Raheja

The eighth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) came to an end with a new champion emerging from nowhere to finish on top. The Dindigul Dragons (DGD) won three consecutive games in the playoffs, including the grand finale against the Lyca Kovai Kings (LKK) to clinch their maiden TNPL title.

Led by the legendary Ravichandran Ashwin, DGD barely qualified for the playoffs by finishing fourth in the eight-team race. They then eliminated four-time champions Chepauk Super Gillies in a thrilling Eliminator before upstaging table-toppers LKK in the summit clash.

Much like the other state T20 Leagues, the TNPL has been known to produce budding cricketers looking to take the next step with a possible IPL contract. The 2024 edition was no different with several cricketers of various ilks making a case for securing a maiden IPL contract.

On that note, let us look at the top five TNPL 2024 stars who could land their maiden IPL contract for the 2025 season.

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#1 Abhishek Tanwar

At just around this time two years back, all-rounder Abhishek Tanwar was involved in similar discussions of warranting a maiden IPL contract after finishing as the leading wicket-taker in 2022. And things remain the same as the 32-year-old enjoyed another impressive all-round season in TNPL 2024.

Playing for the Chepauk Super Gillies, Tanwar starred with 10 wickets at an average of 23.80 and an economy of 8.50 in eight outings. His lusty big-hitting also provided the side with crucial runs, finishing with 96 runs at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 223.25.

His exploits helped the side finish third on the points table before their heartbreaking defeat to eventual champions DD in the Eliminator.

Besides the numbers, the package of a medium pacer and bit-hitting finisher makes Tanwar an alluring option for several IPL franchises and the time might be ideal for one of them to plunge on the veteran all-rounder.

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#2 Sriram Ajit Ram

Another reliable force in the TNPL, Sriram Ajit Ram, was no different in this edition with his relentless left-arm spin bowling. Playing for the Tiruppur Tamizhans, the 25-year-old was as miserly as ever, finishing with 11 wickets at an average of 18.82 and an economy of 7.71 in 9 matches.

With a combined 15 wickets in the previous two TNPL seasons at an economy of under 7 both times, Ajit Ram has grown into one of the most conistent spinners in T20.

At 25, he might be entering the prime of his career, leading some of the IPL franchises to bid heavily for his services.

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#3 Tushar Raheja

Wicketkeeper-batter Tushar Raheja took a giant leap in the 2024 TNPL season after promising performances in the previous two editions. He boasted decent numbers of averaging in the mid-20s at a strike rate hovering around 120 in the 2022 and 2023 TNPLs.

However, those numbers skyrocketted this season. The 23-year-old finished as the tournament's second leading run-scorer with 324 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 150 in nine games.

Raheja's heroics helped the Tiruppur Tamizhans finish second on the points table before their eventual defeat in the Qualifier 2.

An opening batter that also dons the gloves, Raheja, at only 23 could be a long-term option for several teams looking for an Indian wicket-keeping option.

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#4 M Poiyamozhi

It will be hard for the IPL franchises to look away from the leading wicket-taker of the 2024 TNPL season, M Poiyamozhi. The medium pacer enjoyed impressive runs in the previous two TNPL editions with seven and 13 wickets, respectively.

However, at 33, Poiyamozhi upped his game even more in the 2024 edition, finishing with 16 wickets at an incredible average of 13.68 and an economy of 8.16 in seven games.

He was often the lone ranger for bottom feeders Salem Spartans, who won only the lone game in seven tries.

Poiyamozhi's excellent death-bowling skills could be invaluable come for several IPL teams in an increasingly batter-friendly T20 format.

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#5 Mohamed Ali

The Tiruppur Tamizhans almost became the factory for potential IPL canditates with spin-bowling all-rounder Mohamed Ali being the latest in the list.

At 19, Ali displayed maturity beyond his years with bat and ball, finishing in the top-20 of the leading run-scorers and wicket-takers charts. With his wily off-spin bowling, he finished with nine wickets at an average of under 21 and an economy of 7.83 in nine outings.

Ali's batting was the surpsie element as he scored 173 runs at an average of 28.83 and a strike rate of 141.80. After playing only the lone game in the 2023 TNPL season, his maiden campaign, Mohamed Ali's staggering growth in 12 months would have turned several IPL teams' heads for the upcoming auction.