It is worth mentioning that the Madurai-based side reached the playoffs last year and had a decent outing in the 2022 season of the league. However, they were defeated by the eventual joint-winner Lyca Kovai Kings in that match.
On the other hand, NRK dominated the league stage fixtures of TNPL 2022 and finished at the top of the points table. Although they faced back to back setbacks in the playoffs and failed to reach the final.
Both teams would look to start their TNPL 2023 campaign on a high and will aim to register a win in their first match of the season.
Pitch report:
The track at the SNR College Cricket Ground in Coimbatore generally favours the spinners and the team winning the toss would look to bat first considering the past record of the ground. The average first innings score at the venue is 170-180.
Head-to-head record (Last 5 matches):
SMP won: 02 | NRK won: 02 | No result: 01
Probable XIs:
Siechem Madurai Panthers: Hari Nishanth, S Karthik (wk), Jagatheesan Kousik, K Deeban Lingesh, Washington Sundar, Balu Surya, Sudhan Kandepan (c), Murugan Ashwin, Swapnil Singh, Dev Rahul and Gurjapneet Singh.
Nellai Royal Kings: Arun Karthik (c and wk), Nidhish Rajagopal, SJ Arun Kumar, Sonu Yadav, Rithik Easwaran, Ajitesh Guruswamy, Karthick Manikandan, Sandeep Warrier, Sri Neranjan, S Mohan Prasath and M Poiyamozhi.
Dream11 Prediction:
Wicketkeeper: KB Arun Karthik (vc)
Batter: Hari Nishanth, S Karthik, Nidhish Rajagopal, K Deeban Lingesh
All-rounder: Washington Sundar (c), Sonu Yadav, Jagatheesan Kousik
Bowler: Murugan Ashwin, Karthick Manikandan, Sandeep Warrier
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