Latest news with #TNPL
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Madras High Court gives thumbs-up to for TNPL tournament to continue
CHENNAI: Allowing the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) tournament to go ahead, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) not to take further action until July 16, 2025 on the orders issued to the teams to remove certain sponsor's logos from the team jerseys. Hearing the petitions filed by the team franchises, including the Metro Nation Television Private Limited which owns the Chepauk Super Gillies, Justice N Anand Venkatesh granted the relief stating the tournament is at an advanced stage; and so, the matches can go on. He posted the matter to July 16 and directed the TNOGA to keep in abeyance further action pursuant to the impugned order till then. Senior counsel PR Raman appeared for the petitioner and special government pleader Veda Bagath Singh represented the state and the home secretary and advocate Arvind Srevatsa appeared for the TNOGA. The Metro Nation has challenged the impugned order issued on June 26 by TNOGA seeking to remove the logo of MELBAT LIVE from the team jersey, as it amounts to promoting online gambling and violation of the Tamil Nadu Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
R. Sai Kishore discusses his breakthrough IPL season, finger-spinners in T20 cricket, competition for Indian team spots and more.
In this year's Indian Premier League, Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore finally had the breakthrough season he had been looking for. The 28-year-old has had to wait three years for regular game-time and grabbed his chances in 2025, scalping 19 wickets for Gujarat Titans. In this chat with The Hindu, the TN skipper discusses the IPL, finger-spinners in T20 cricket, the competition for spots in the Indian team, and more. Excerpts: How satisfying was this year's IPL? I have been part of IPL for six or seven years, but have never had the opportunity to play a full season. So, very grateful for it. I do not have any attachment towards it. When you get a full season, you know your full potential, whether you can contribute or not. Otherwise, you are just [thinking of] permutations and combinations, whether I am good enough or not. After a full season, I feel very confident that I am ready to play at the highest level. The biggest realisation was that what I have is enough. Sometimes, when you are not competing, you don't know whether what you have is enough or not. What was your approach this year? I tried to stick to my basics, just as I would in any other tournament, such as the Mushtaq Ali, TNPL, or Ranji Trophy. If I execute my plans well, that's more than enough. Sometimes in T20, you can't buy wickets. So, wickets have to happen. I was very happy that the team also used me when the batsmen were trying to attack. And when I could just adapt to the situation, wickets were falling. So, very grateful for it. ALSO READ | Rishabh, the Pant-astic entertainer After your debut in 2022, you sat out 2023 because of the team combination and then an injury cut short your journey last year. How did you handle this phase? In the first year [2022], I had a very good season. You wanted to build on it. You would expect things to just happen. But as time would have it, I think that also was for the good. It made me much more mature and understand my game. As a result, all those experiences occurred because of that break. So when this breakthrough season happened, I was more than ready mentally to handle it. They say the Chinese bamboo tree doesn't grow for years, and suddenly, in one year, it grows. But for about six to seven years, the tree has been forming its roots and strengthening the foundations. This year, you were the leader of the spin attack. Did you enjoy the responsibility? In the other teams I play for, I naturally take on that role. So, it wasn't like I was taken aback or anything. I am waiting for such roles. To be fair, Rashid [Khan] is the best T20 bowler across all the teams. In this decade, he will be the best T20 bowler. Maybe for some reason, he didn't find his rhythm. Because I have done such roles in all the other competitions, it came naturally to me. I just wanted to back myself. Whatever has worked for me in domestic cricket is what has brought me here. Thankfully, Ashish Nehra also trusted me with those roles. Usually, people can be judgmental about a finger-spinner bowling in the death or a left-arm spinner against left-handers. But he trusted me. I am pleased I could deliver for the trust he had. Speaking about finger-spinners, there are not many going around. How can your tribe stay relevant in T20 cricket? The basic thing is to spin the ball. At times, as a finger-spinner, you dart the ball too much. If you can spin the ball, impart revolutions, and have the basics intact, that is where the key lies. Also, being very smart. Sometimes wrist-spinners can get away by being a little simple. They have to just bowl length, turn the ball both ways, and go. As finger-spinners, you have to understand the game, what the batsman is trying to do, what to do and what not to do. That becomes crucial, but still trying to spin the ball. Luckily, I have had coaches who always emphasised that and not just darting it in. I have been working with Ram Kumar for seven or eight years, and even with Aashish Kapoor in Gujarat Titans. Thankfully, I have had good mentors. You tried bowling the carrom ball this year. How did it come about? It is something which I consciously worked on because you can't just sit back. When you miss a lot of games, then naturally you want to develop. I don't have this. I will work on it. That thought was definitely [there] and could have been the seed for it. So, I worked on my carrom ball for the last two to three years. I started bowling it in the Deodhar Trophy two years ago. From there on, it has evolved so much. I didn't want to overuse it and make it a very mainstream thing. I have trust in my left-arm spin. So, whenever the situation arises, I will deliver. You have to keep evolving along with your basics. I feel the perfect left-arm spinner hasn't been formed yet, and I am working towards it. ALSO READ | The curious case of Kuldeep Yadav What is your idea of the perfect left-arm spinner? You should be able to bowl orthodox well. You should be able to dip the ball well. At the same time, also bowl defensively. Then you have the carrom, googly. What I am saying is probably a bit too much, but I want to keep it for myself so that I have something to look forward to. How do you assess your bowling, and what is your process for improving? Of late, I have stopped a lot [of looking at data]. I switch off my mind. If I have a skill, I want to extract it to the best. I am not diagnosing it or dissecting it. Ram is always very critical. It's difficult to get a 'well bowled' from him. I trust him and Aashish Kapoor. Sometimes, if I am drifting or falling apart, they tell me. They are very straightforward. They don't think about whether they are hurting me or not. Has captaincy helped you? It has helped me see the game from a larger perspective. Thinking not just as a bowler but also what a batsman does and thinking in terms of team dynamics. I have been grateful that when I started leading, we [Tamil Nadu] have done well in the last few years, and players are doing well. I wouldn't say it is [because of me]. I spoke to other captains and former cricketers. W.V. Raman sir helped a lot. He gave his inputs on how to keep the team together and what not to do. I interacted with him a lot during the 2023-24 season. India has quality left-arm spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel. And last year, Harsh Dubey did exceedingly well with bat and ball. How do you see the competition for spots? We are filled with talent. I am just trying to make my garden beautiful. If the flowers are beautiful, there will be bees here. If the garden is not beautiful, bees won't come. My philosophy is very simple. I just want to keep my garden very beautiful, very attractive. Automatically, what has to come will come. I trust the timing of the universe. When it comes, it will flow. You have to wait for it. I just want to make sure I am ready with all the skill-sets. If I go there, I don't want to turn back and say, 'No, I have to work on this'. I have got some learnings from IPL. I am just working on it here in TNPL. I think the best delivery I can have is patience.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Dindigul Dragons pull off a heist, secure playoff berth
A 61-run fourth-wicket partnership (49 balls) between left-handers Maan K. Baafna (38, 28b, 4x4, 1x6) and Vimal Khumar (45, 31b, 4x4, 1x6), and Hunny Saini's fiery 37 (14b, 3x4, 3x6) helped Dindigul Dragons pull off a heist against Nellai Royal Kings (NRK) by four wickets and secure a playoff berth in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) at the Chennai Super Kings ground here on Thursday. With this result, Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans also qualified for the playoffs. SKM Salem Spartans, Trichy Grand Cholas, Nellai Royal Kings, and Siechem Madurai Panthers will be the four teams in contention for the fourth playoff spot, with Chepauk Super Gillies having already qualified. Vimal hit back-to-back boundaries through covers off medium-pacer Ajay Krishna and a straight six off leg-spinner B. Rocky, and reverse-slapped a four to the third man boundary off left-arm spinner Sachin Rathi. After Vimal fell, Hunny upped the ante. He lofted a four to extra-cover and pulled a six to fine-leg off Rocky. With 45 to win off 24 balls, he smashed a six to deep-midwicket off a no-ball and deposited the subsequent free hit for a six to long on off medium-pacer Sonu Yadav. Earlier, left-hander N.S. Harish (43 n.o., 20b, 4x4, 3x6) and Sonu Yadav (39 n.o., 24b, 3x4, 2x6) got Royal Kings to 179 for six with an unbroken 80-run seventh-wicket stand (37 balls). The scores: Nellai Royal Kings 179/6 in 20 overs (Sonu Yadav 39 n.o., N.S. Harish 43 n.o., Periyasamy 2/45, R. Ashwin 2/23, Varun Chakaravarthy 2/27) lost to Dindigul Dragons 180/6 in 18.4 overs (Maan K. Bafna 38, Vimal Khumar 45, Hunny Saini 37, B. Rocky 2/39). Toss: Royal Kings. Saturday's matches (in Dindigul): Chepauk Super Gillies vs Siechem Madurai Panthers (3.15 p.m.); Lyca Kovai Kings vs SKM Salem Spartans (7.15 p.m.).
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Robin Singh's cure to TN's woes: Revamped fitness programme, long pre-season camp and academy overhaul
With Tamil Nadu's last domestic campaign severely hampered by injuries to key players throughout the season across formats, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association's consultant Robin Singh has put in a revamped fitness programme. The programme, which is overseen by strength and conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan, is among the key areas that Robin has turned his attention to, apart from academy overhaul and long pre-season camp, ahead of the upcoming season. Last season, Tamil Nadu struggled in white-ball formats while their run in Ranji Trophy ended in quarterfinals as the likes of Sandeep Warrier, Gurjapneet Singh, Baba Indrajith, Shahrukh Khan were all unavailable because of injuries at various stages. With the resources thin, TN struggled at crucial junctures, forcing Robin to turn his attention to fitness, where a new programme has already been rolled out and players following it in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League. Ahead of last season, Robin took a team of around 20 players to the UK for an exposure trip, but this season they have chosen a fitness camp that began in May. 'We wanted to, but it didn't happen,' Robin said of the UK trip. 'In retrospect, I would say it's a good thing, because we had to focus on having a camp. We wanted it for a month but we got three weeks and we will have one after the TNPL as well. Ramji has got a good idea of where they are and a programme has been given to them. Players need to take the responsibility. We cannot spoon-feed people. We are not working with one individual. We are working with 150, 160 people to build a system in place,' Robin, a veteran of 136 ODIs, tells The Indian Express. Ever since Robin, who led Tamil Nadu from 1995 to the end of his career in 2002, returned to the TN fold last season, he has emphasised on putting together a robust system. For instance, the TNCA Academy, where the coaches work with various teams in the state, has made steps to ensure that the players are ready as and when a need arises. M Venkatramana and Sunil Subramaniam are part of the academy as coaches while T Kumaran has become the bowling coach of the senior side. In recent times, players emerging out of the age-group levels have been found wanting at Ranji Trophy. Even the First Division cuts a sorry picture where under-prepared and rank-turners hinder development and give little preparation for Ranji grind. While Robin admits faults in the feeder system, he says it can't be an excuse to falter. 'We know you are going to get turning tracks. Teams are getting out for 20 and 40 and 60. It is a joke. So, it is important to have good wickets. Most of the companies want to win. So, whatever it takes to win, they do it and you can't fault them. So, the play is of no consequence,' he says. It's the same across the country, he says. 'A player has to understand that and realise this is just for this game. It does not stop you from doing extra practice. Most people go and play Chennai league, to get a score and satisfy themselves. But it is not enough. That is why the academy becomes important. You have all sorts of pitches here, use it to improve areas that need improvement. We are here and players who want to get to the next level, have to make use of it,' Robin says. In recent years, Tamil Nadu have struggled on seaming decks, with odd exceptions. The common reason that players often attribute has been the lack of preparation on such pitches. But Robin refuses to buy into that argument. 'I don't believe in people complaining because it is only an excuse. We were playing cricket before. Did we ever get tracks to practise seaming conditions? Didn't (S) Sharath, WV Raman make runs? Now, you have more facilities, not less,' he pointed out. 'You can prepare a ball to swing or get a two-piece ball and let it swing. You can get a swinging ball. Why don't you make an investment into those things? Nobody wants to spend money. Everybody wants everything on the platter. If you struggle against a moving ball, watch the ones who are playing it better, watch their technique and try to implement it in your game. Have they done that? You have to find a way. You have the likes of (L) Balaji, Tanveer (Jabbar) to help and there are others who are always ready as well,' Robin says. Having travelled around the globe as a coach in franchise cricket as well as with international teams, Robin believes that preparation levels are holding back TN. 'I'm a huge believer in preparation. Players have the hunger to perform, but they don't know how to go about it. That is what is lacking. You have to keep improving the game rather than (set) short-term goals. If a Ranji season begins, you can't be just preparing for opponents. There is no easy team to beat in Ranji, so you have to be on top of your game all the time. That has to be the focus. Forget about pitches. You have to prepare thinking every game is an away game,' he adds.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Pacers fashion Grand Cholas' win against Madurai Panthers
The maximum average bounce offered by the Chennai Super Kings ground for the pacers this season came to the fore on Wednesday, as Athisayaraj Davidson (two for 33), P. Saravana Kumar (two for 27), and K. Easwaran (two for 19) roughed up Siechem Madurai Panthers (SMP) with five wickets in the PowerPlay to set up a four-wicket win for Trichy Grand Cholas (TGC) in a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match here. A bruised SMP staggered its way to 131 for seven from 29 for five, courtesy of Atheeq Ur Rahman (30) and C. Sarath Kumar (37 n.o.). Left-armer Athisayaraj and Saravana Kumar broke SMP's spirit with a two-wicket burst each. Opener and left-hander B. Anirudh Sita Ram (7) was caught down the leg side, and Ajay Chetan (duck) edged a fuller, outside-off Test-match delivery to first slip - both back-to-back in the second over off Athisayaraj. Saravana Kumar had opener Ram Arvindh (14) miscue a pull off a shorter delivery to deep midwicket, and M. Ashwin (duck) caught at second slip off an outside-off Test-match delivery that pitched on a good length - both back-to-back in the sixth over. Easwaran had captain N.S. Chaturved (4) nick a short-of-length delivery to the keeper in the third over, and a set Atheeq caught at long on in the 15th over. But it wasn't a straightforward chase for TGC. Medium-pacer Gowtham Thamarai Kannan (two for 16) and leg-spinner Karthik Meiyappan (2/24) had it in a spot of bother on 77 for five, but R. Rajkumar (37 n.o., 15b, 1x4, 4x6) ensured that his team got home. Skipper and opener J. Suresh Kumar top-scored with 44 (36b, 7x4). The scores: Siechem Madurai Panthers 131/7 in 20 overs (Atheeq Ur Rahman 30, Sarath Kumar 37 n.o., K. Easwaran 2/19, Athisayaraj Davidson 2/33, Saravana Kumar 2/27) lost to Trichy Grand Cholas 137/6 in 18.1 overs (Suresh Kumar 44, R. Rajkumar 37 n.o., Gowtham Thamarai Kannan 2/16, Karthik Meiyappan 2/24). Toss: Grand Cholas. Thursday's match: Nellai Royal Kings vs Dindigul Dragons (7.15 p.m.).
