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The eighth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) has reached its final chapter and it should be a thrilling contest between two of the best teams of the competition, Lyca Kovai Kings and the Dindigul Dragons on Sunday.
It has been a sensational season for the Kovai Kings who won six out of their seven group games before thrashing the Tiruppur Tamizhans in the first qualifier. Meanwhile, the Dindigul Dragons didn't have a straightforward pathway to the playoffs.
They were tested during the group stages and only managed to scrape through to the last four as the fourth-ranked side with four wins and three losses. However, they upped their game when it mattered the most.
They defeated the Chepauk Super Gillies in the eliminator before steamrolling the Tiruppur Tamizhans in the second qualifier. On the basis of current form, you can't really predict the eventual winner but given their consistency, the Kovai Kings should start as favorites.
Both teams have several top-quality players who can single-handedly turn the match with both bat and ball. With less than 24 hours to go for the final to commence, let us have a look at the five top performers to watch out for in the TNPL 2024 final.
#5 Baba Indrajith
One of the most consistent performers for the Dindigul Dragons over the years has been the ever-reliable Baba Indrajith. He has been around the circuit for a long time and has established himself as one of the most prolific run scorers for Tamil Nadu in the domestic circuit.
Even in the ongoing competition, he is the fourth highest run-getter in the tournament, having scored 254 runs in nine games. Indrajith was dismissed for a diamond duck without even facing a delivery in the eliminator. He remained unbeaten on 8 during the second qualifier. He is due for runs and the stage could well be set for a big knock from Indrajith.
#4 Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh Khan has been a hot property in the IPL being snapped up by huge sums by several franchises over the years. While he hasn't quite managed to prove his worth consistently in the IPL, Shahrukh is certainly the player to watch out for in the TNPL final.
He has been in an incredible all-round form all through the TNPL and the Lyca Kovai Kings will desperately need him to click in the all-important final. In the last group game against the Salem Spartans, Shahrukh Khan scored a match-winning 50 off 18 deliveries to take their side over the finish line from a precarious situation.
Over the years, Shahrukh has been a part-time option and has picked some important wickets at crucial junctures of the game. However, what Shahrukh has done with the ball has provided much-needed balance to the Kovai Kings squad. He has bagged 12 wickets in 8 games at an incredible average of 14.08.
#3 Sai Sudarshan
One of the finest young talents going around in the country, Sai Sudarshan is due for a massive knock. He is someone who loves the occasion and what better than a final of a tournament to showcase your mettle? He has scored 224 runs in six matches so far at an average of 44.80.
The 22-year-old made his ODI debut against South Africa in December 2023 and played his only T20I against Zimbabwe last month. Sudarshan is one of those rare young talents in the country who can play according to the situation of the game.
Sudarshan scored a magnificent 96 against the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 final and proved his worth against some of the very best. He hasn't quite managed to play those big knocks in the ongoing TNPL so far but a player of his calibre can make a significant contribution in the final.
#2 Varun Chakravarthy
Arguably the greatest mystery spinner in the TNPL, Varun Chakravarthy has been a massive name in the franchise circuit and he hasn't disappointed. He was a star performer for the Kolkata Knight Riders when they won the IPL earlier this year. Even in the TNPL, Chakravarthy has made important breakthroughs at crucial junctures of the game.
While he hasn't managed to pick a truckload of wickets which was expected of him, it's basically due to the opposition batters trying to bat him out sensibly. He has bagged 10 wickets in 9 matches so far and the Dindigul Dragons will be hoping that the tweaker can make an impact in the final.
#1 Ravichandran Ashwin
When you talk about Ravichandran Ashwin, it's his guile and deception that makes him one of the greatest off-spinners in world cricket. He might not be a part of the Indian white-ball setups for now but he is an integral part of the Indian red-ball setup and his record speaks for itself.
Ashwin has reinvented his game in the last few years, especially in the batting department. He has been regularly sent up the order for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. In the ongoing TNPL, he has batted up the order occasionally and made an impact.
The veteran scored a brilliant match-winning half-century in the eliminator clash against the Chepauk Super Gillies. He went for a few runs but given his class and ability to perform at the biggest of stages, Ashwin should definitely be the biggest player to watch out for in the TNPL final.
