- June 26, 2025
While Nellai Royal Kings (NRK) – Dindigul Dragons (DD) in the 24th match of TNPL 2025 may appear to be all about the batters, don’t be surprised if it turns out to be a bowler’s game. In a tournament with plenty of six-hitting moments, this match must surely be a bowler’s playground. With Sonu Yadav and Sachin Rathi in top form for NRK, and the ever-reliable Varun Chakravarthy spinning for DD, the strategy and how they control the run rate will be crucial. Let’s highlight three of the biggest threats that could swing the match on its head.
Sonu Yadav – NRK
Sonu Yadav’s record speaks for itself: 15 wickets in 9 matches, with an economy rate of 7.59 and a strike rate of 13.06. He can perform under pressure and takes wickets at the most opportune times. He understands the need to take wickets, whether that be in the powerplay or the slog, and he executes a calmness while following through on a plan.
The primary component of Sonu Yadav’s challenge package is his ability to alter pace, whilst remaining calm and in control. He is also a big thinker in the game; he watches a batter’s feet set up, and he understands the correct length to deliver the ball before anybody else comes to that conclusion. With each over counted, Sonu’s ability to take wickets at crucial times could be a defining factor for NRK.
Varun Chakravarthy – DD
If there’s one bowler who doesn’t need hype but deserves every single bit of hype, it is Varun Chakravarthy. With 13 wickets from 10 games and an economy of just 6.46, Varun has been a potent weapon for DD. Varun can make all, but the best batters look clueless.
He is not a traditional leggie, or offie; he is somewhere in between a,nd he is difficult to read. On the slower TNPL decks, where grip and guile (for balls to spin) are in play, Varun doesn’t require assistance. His spell, in the middle overs, generally determines whether DD is in control or chasing the match. If NRK’s hitters are the storm, Varun is DD’s last umbrella—how well it holds will shape the forecast.
Sachin Rathi – NRK
Here’s the wild card: Sachin Rathi. Just 5 games in, but already 8 wickets with an economy of 6.83 and strike rate of 13.5 – those are some impactful numbers. He may not have Varun’s brand value or the consistency of Sonu yet, but Rathi is developing rapidly.
Rathi’s real value is in his adaptability. He can break partnerships and stifle runs at death, giving NRK flexibility in their bowling unit. If the pitch offers even a whisper of turn/grip, Rathi will become a very difficult proposition for DD’s chase.
The NRK vs DD encounter promises to be more than just a contest of boundaries; it will be a chess match between the bowlers. With Sonu Yadav leading the fast-bowling attack, Varun Chakravarthy spinning webs, and Sachin Rathi providing the X-factor, it could be a game where the number of dot balls has as much significance as the number of sixes.
Will experience prove to be the decisive factor, or will youth have its day? One thing is certain—the bowlers are going to make the most noise in this high-pressure encounter!
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