Lyca Kovai Kings' quest for second title in two years  

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Lyca Kovai Kings  have lost only once in the seven games they have played  
• Nellai Royal Kings' bowlers have struggled since the start of the season with the ball  
• Lyca Kovai Kings have defeated Nellai Royal Kings four times in the last five games  

MATCH PREVIEW     

We have witnessed 31 intense T20 games and are in the final of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, 2023. Defending champions Lyca Kovai Kings will look to continue their dominance as they aim for the second consecutive title. They have been in good form and have lost only once this season. The Nellai Royal Kings come here with an excellent show in the 2nd Qualifier. They are the only side to have defeated the Kovai Kings in the league stage and shall look to repeat their success and grab their maiden title. With key players in both camps doing well, we expect to see a thriller.  

Lyca Kovai Kings Preview      

The Lyca Kovai Kings have lived up to their reputation as defending champions. They shared the title last year with the Chepauk Super Gillies and would like to win it this time. The Kovai Kings have had a good campaign and lost only once during the league stage. The side convincingly entered the final with a 30-run victory over the Dindigul Dragons. They are up against a strong side, and skipper Shahrukh Khan shall expect a good show from his players.  

The side will look for a good start from J Suresh Kumar and S Sujay. They must take on the Royal Kings' bowlers, who have struggled in the tournament. Sachin and U Mukilesh are in form and will look to build partnerships with Shahrukh Khan in the middle order. The side will expect quick runs from Ram Arvindh and Atheeq Ur Rahman in the final overs of the innings.   

Thamarai Kannan and Manimaran Siddharth have a big responsibility with the new ball, and they must deliver early blows to the Nellai Royal Kings. Shahrukh Khan has been in good form, and the side will need a good show from him and M Mohammed in the middle overs. In the supporting role, the side will expect good spells from Valliappan Yudheeswaran and Jhatavedh Subramanyan.  

Expected Starting XI for Lyca Kovai Kings     

Shahrukh Khan (c), U Mukilesh, S Sujay, J B Sachin, Ram Arvindh, Atheeq Ur Rahman, Suresh Kumar (wk), M Mohammed, Jhatavedh Subramanyan, Manimaran Siddharth, Valliappan Yudheeswaran, K Gowtham Thamarai Kannan (Impact Player) 

Nellai Royal Kings Preview      

Arun Karthik couldn't have asked for a better show from his players in the 2nd Qualifier. They pulled the game out of nowhere to win by 7 wickets against the Dindigul Dragons. The top order is in good form for the side, and they will look to ride this momentum. The Royal Kings' skipper shall expect a better show from his bowlers as they have struggled in most games.  

The side will expect a good start in this game from the opening pair of Arun Karthik and P Sugendhiran. Ajitesh Guruswamy and Rithik Easwaran played stunning knocks in the last game, and they will look to build partnerships in the middle order with Nidhish Rajagopal. The side has firepower in the lower middle order, with hitters like Laxmesha Suryaprakash, Sonu Yadav, and NS Harish.  

The form of the bowlers is a big headache for the team, as they have played poorly in the last few games. The side will need a good show from Sonu Yadav and Sandeep Warrier with the new ball to put the defending champions on the back foot. Mohan Prasath and NS Harish must deliver the goods in the middle overs, and they also need a good show in the supporting role from M Poiyamozhi and Lakshay Jain S.  

Expected Starting XI for Nellai Royal Kings      

Arun Karthik (c), Laxmesha Suryaprakash, NS Harish, Ajitesh Guruswamy, M Poiyamozhi, Rithik Easwaran (wk), Nidhish Rajagopal, Sonu Yadav, S Mohan Prasath, Lakshay Jain S, Sandeep Warrier, P Sugendhiran (Impact Player)  

TOSS: To Bowl First      

We have seen big run chases in the tournament and expect a good batting surface in this game. Defending runs isn't easy in T20 cricket, and both captains would like to choose the safer option. We expect to see the side winning the toss to opt to bowl first in this game.   

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The skies over Tirunelveli will be partly cloudy, and we expect it to be a warm and humid evening. The wicket shall be flat, and we will likely see a high-scoring contest. There would be little for the bowlers, and the side batting first shall need 180 runs on the board. 

OUR PREDICTION      

Nellai Royal Kings have made a confident entry in the final. They are batting well and need a strong show from their bowlers to win this game. The side must put behind their poor record against the Lyca Kovai Kings. The Kovai Kings have been clinical since the start of the season and have a strong bowling attack. We expect a nail-biting contest, but the Kovai Kings have a slight edge.  

Our Prediction is for Lyca Kovai Kings to win