Nellai Royal Kings
Trichy Grand Cholas
The Tamil Nadu Premier League 2025 is underway, and in the third fixture of the season, the Nellai Royal Kings will face off against the Trichy Grand Cholas. Both teams had a forgettable campaign last year, falling short of the playoffs with only three wins apiece. Now, they'll be looking to turn the tide early in the season and build momentum from the outset.
The match will be played at the SNR College Cricket Ground in Coimbatore, a venue that is set to host the first eight games of the tournament. It promises conditions that could test both batting and bowling depth.
The last time these two sides met, Trichy came out on top in a solid chase at the Indian Cement Company Ground in Tirunelveli. That win was powered by their lower middle-order batters, all of whom remain in the squad this season, bringing much-needed continuity to their setup.
For Nellai Royal Kings, the absence of pacer R. Silambarasan leaves a noticeable gap in their bowling resources. In his absence, the onus will fall on NS Harish and Emmanuel Cherian to shoulder the responsibility with the ball. The team’s ability to regroup and execute without their key pacer could play a decisive role in this clash.
The Coimbatore pitch tends to be batting-friendly early in the season; expect a high-scoring game.
The betting tip is...
Total Runs in Match – Over 300.5
64 %
36 %
Nellai Royal KingsTrichy Grand CholasArun Karthik returns to lead the Nellai Royal Kings and is set to open the innings. He heads a squad with five wicket-keeper batsmen, giving the team plenty of flexibility. However, they’ll miss two key players—pace spearhead R. Silambarasan and top-order batter Nidish Rajgopal.
Ajitesh Guruswamy is expected to bat at number three and will play a key role in the top order. The vacant number four spot could go to Rocky Bhasker, the squad’s only batting all-rounder. Muhammad Adnan Khan is another option to partner Karthik at the top.
In the lower-middle order, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav, and Ajay Krishna will be expected to finish strong. With few specialist bowlers available, the bowling all-rounders will be crucial to both innings.
Sonu Yadav will be key in the bowling department.
Predicted Lineup: Arun Karthik (c), Muhammad Adnan Khan, Ajitesh Guruswamy, Rocky Bhasker, Ajay Krishna, Rithik Easwaran (wk), Sonu Yadav, J Rohan, NS Harish, R Valliappan Yudheeswaran, Emmanuel Cherian
Trichy Grand Cholas will look to replicate last season’s result against the Nellai Royal Kings, having kept most of their core squad intact. Their lineup features several familiar faces along with some new firepower.
Jagatheesan Kousik is a key addition for 2025. A proven performer in TNPL, he is expected to open the innings with Waseem Ahmed and provide solidity at the top. While Washington Sundar is part of the squad, he’s unlikely to feature in the XI due to national duties with India’s Test team.
The middle order will likely include batting all-rounders SP Vinod and Suresh Kumar, both of whom bring depth and experience. Sanjay Yadav and R Rajkumar, reliable bowling all-rounders, will once again be central to Trichy’s balance with both bat and ball.
The Cholas also boast a strong bowling attack led by captain Anthony Das and the experienced V Athisaraya Davidson.
Predicted Lineup: Waseem Ahmed (wk), Jaffar Jamal, Jagatheesan Kousik, SP Vinod, Suresh Kumar, Antony Dhas (c), T Saran, P Saravana Kumar, Sanjay Yadav, R Rajkumar, V Athisayaraj Davidson
Trichy Grand Cholas head into this clash with greater squad balance and continuity, especially in the all-rounder and bowling departments.
With Jagatheesan Kousik bolstering the top order and key match-winners like Sanjay Yadav and R Rajkumar in form, they hold the edge over a depleted Nellai Royal Kings side missing key players like Silambarasan and Rajgopal. Back Trichy to win this one.
