TNPL: Little to separate teams as action shifts to Chennai

The margin for error is razor-thin after 20 games as the TNPL-10 caravan shifts to Chennai for the business end of the tournament.

Only Net Run Rate (NRR) separates the second-placed team and the fifth-placed outfit as the eight sides arrive here for their last two league fixtures before the knockouts.

Only SKM Salem Spartans, yet to get off the mark after five matches, has failed to get going.

Taking first strike at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, on Tuesday, are Chepauk Super Gillies — the team best placed among those with six points — and Vida Kovai Kings, sixth on the table despite boasting the best NRR.

Having the momentum

While Kovai Kings are coming off a 116-run thumping of Trichy Grand Cholas (contributing largely to its superior NRR) on the last day of the Dindigul leg, Super Gillies have landed in Chepauk after consigning Madurai Panthers to its only loss.

Kovai Kings captain Shahrukh Khan acknowledged that his team was in a must-win situation.

“We’re not looking at other teams. We’re in a tough spot after the three losses. Our focus is to win two games and not look at the run rate. Our NRR is way better than anyone else. And anyway, we will be out of the tournament if we lose,” Shahrukh said on Monday.

‘Not in our control’

When asked if it was a disadvantage to be among the first teams to play in Chennai, Super Gillies skipper N. Jagadeesan explained: “This [the schedule] is not in our control. It is always good to play the next match as soon as possible when you have momentum with you.”

Points table (read as team, played, won, lost, points, NRR):

1. Madurai Panthers 5-4-1-8(+0.290); 2. Chepauk Super Gillies 5-3-2-6(+0.472); 3. Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans 5-3-2-6(+0.222); 4. Nellai Royal Kings 5-3-2-6(+0.133); 5. Trichy Grand Cholas 5-3-2-6(-0.304); 6. Vida Kovai Kings 5-2-3-4(+1.247); 7. Dindigul Dragons 5-2-3-4(+0.205); 8. SKM Salem Spartans 5-0-5-0(-2.392).

Tuesday’s match: Chepauk Super Gillies vs. Vida Kovai Kings, 7.30 p.m.