TNPL 2018: Best XI of the season

The third edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) has finally come to an end. Madurai Panthers emerged as the champions this season after two winless tournaments. They defeated the Dindigul Dragons in the final by 7 wickets to lift the trophy for the first time ever. Arun Karthik, who was splendid for them right throughout the tournament was yet again the hero on the night of the final. He remained unbeaten on 75 while chasing 118 and was rightly adjudged the ‘Man of the Match’. Furthermore, he was also the ‘Man of the Series’. Apart from Karthik, there were quite a few other players who fared really well. On that note, here is the combined best XI of TNPL 3. Here is the Best XI of the tournament: 1. Arun Karthik | Madurai Panthers Arun Karthik. (Photo Source: TNPL) The 32-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Arun Karthik has been around in the domestic circuit for quite some time now. He made his first-class debut in 2008 and is quite an experienced campaigner. Karthik was a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad from 2011 to 2013 and has played 17 IPL games. This year in the TNPL, he was instrumental in helping his side win the tournament. He has played some gem of knocks opening the innings for his team, Madurai Panthers and will be taking the same role in this XI as well. This season, he has scored 472 runs in 10 games at a staggering average of about 79. His 75-run knock in the final was a treat to watch. 2. Srikkanth Anirudha (c) | Karaikudi Kaalai Anirudha Srikkanth. (Photo Source: TNPL) Opening the innings alongside Karthik is the 31-year-old Srikkanth Anirudha. He is the son of former Indian skipper and former chairman of the national selection committee, Krishnamachari Srikanth. Anirudha played for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL from 2008 to 2013 and was with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014. But, he only featured in 20 IPL games in this entire duration. Although not as gifted as his father, Anirudha is a regular member in the Tamil Nadu domestic side. He looked to be in great touch with the bat in TNPL this season and got his side through till the Eliminator. The right-handed batsman has scored 347 runs in 8 games at an average almost close to 50 and a strike rate of 154. 3. N Jagadeesan (wk) | Dindigul Dragons N Jagadeesan of Dindigul Dragons celebrates. (Photo Source: TNPL) Jagadeesan burst onto the scene after some terrific performances in the inaugural edition of the TNPL in 2016. The 22-year-old made his first-class debut in the same year and performed well for his state side, Tamil Nadu. He is more than a safe gloveman and has impressed one and all with his skills. As a result, he was picked by the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 auction although he didn’t get to play any games. Jagadeesan can adapt his game according to the situation and plays both the aggressor role and the anchor role. Although he opened for his side Dindigul Dragons, he will have to bat at No 3 in this XI. He scored 396 runs in 9 games this season at an average of 66. In the final, where most of his teammates failed to deliver, he scored a half-century. 4. Suresh Kumar | Ruby Trichy Warriors Suresh Kumar of Ruby Trichy Warriors. (Photo Source: TNPL) This middle-order of this XI is packed with some powerful and hard-hitters of the cricket ball. Batting all-rounder Suresh Kumar will take up the No 4 position and will be having a play a pivotal role. The 33-year-old will be taking up the role of being the anchor in the middle order. Further, his services with the ball can be utilised as and when required. He will be filling the shoes of the sixth bowler in this XI. Kumar has scored 225 runs in 7 games this season at an average of 45. With the ball, he bowled 12 overs in 5 innings. He conceded just 55 runs in as many overs and picked 4 wickets including a 3-wicket haul in one game. 5. R Vivek | Dindigul Dragons R Vivek. (Photo Source: TNPL) R Vivek is definitely one of the best finds this season. He bats with a superb flair and is pleasing to the eye. This right-handed batsman has played in this season with a definitive authority and has mixed aggressiveness and defensiveness beautifully. His strike rate is something that has grabbed everyone’s attention and he can also roll his arm over if required. Vivek scored 262 runs in the 7 innings that he played this season at an average of 52. He scored all of these runs at a massive strike rate of 210 which is mind-blowing. 6. Rajagopal Sathish | TUTI Patriots Rajagopal Sathish. (Photo Source: TNPL) Rajagopal Sathish is a well-known figure in the Indian cricketing circles. The 37-year-old is vastly experienced and was one of the few cricketers who was banned by the BCCI for a brief while for playing in the Indian Cricket League(IPL). Post his ban, Sathish played in the IPL for various franchises including Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab. But, he failed to do well in the IPL-level. However, Sathish was great with the bat this season for his team. He has scored 233 runs in 7 games in TNPL 3. But what stands out is his strike rate, which was 182 this season. Sathish will take up the role of the finisher in this XI. 7. Shahrukh Khan | Lyca Kovai Kings Shahrukh Khan. (Photo Source: TNPL) Shahrukh Khan got really popular this season mainly because of two reasons. Firstly, due to his name which matches with one of the legendary Bollywood actors and secondly due to the unbelievable catch that he grabbed in this season initially. This bowling all-rounder can give the added stability to this XI. He has scored 325 runs in 9 games at an average slightly over 36. He has bowled in four out of the nine games that he played. Although he went wicketless in all of these games, he bowled at a good economy rate. Although he opened the innings for his team, Shahrukh will be batting much lower down the order in this XI and will have to get going right from the word ‘go’. 8. Prasanth Rajesh | Lyca Kovai Kings Prasanth Rajesh. (Photo Source: Twitter) Leg-spinners are a great asset to have in any T20 side these days. Although they might go for runs, they pick up timely wickets which puts brakes on the scoring rates. Hence, Prasanth Rajesh, who was the best leggie of this season is drafted into this XI. The 33-year-old has picked 11 wickets in 9 games and did relatively well bowling in the middle overs. His average this season is just about 18. This, when combined with his economy rate of 7, is a great combination to have. Rajesh’s strike rate of 16 with the ball is also quite impressive. 9. S Ajith Ram | Lyca Kovai Kings S Ajith Ram. (Photo Source: TNPL) This left-arm orthodox spinner was one of the best spinners in TNPL this season. He wasn’t afraid to flight the ball and bowls with some great accuracy. Furthermore, he has also opened the bowling for his side, Lyca Kovai Kings on multiple occasions this season. Ajith has bowled 26 overs in 7 games in TNPL 3. In these overs, he picked 11 wickets at an average of 14 and an economy rate which was just above 6. He will be sharing the spin responsibilities along with Prasanth Rajesh in this ‘Best XI’. 10. V Athisayaraj Davidson | TUTI Patriots Athisayaraj Davidson. (Photo Source: TNPL) Although Abhishek Tanwar went past Davidson to emerge as the leading wicket-taker by picking up a 4-wicket haul in the final, the latter’s figures this season are much better. Davidson opens the bowling for his side and also bowls at the death. He hits the deck hard and curls the ball both ways. This season, he has picked 13 wickets in just 7 games at an average of 19. Although he is slightly on the expensive side, he has this knack of picking up wickets at the right times which is a great asset to have. Davidson will be fulfilling the death bowler duties in this XI. 11. T Natarajan | Lyka Kovai Kings T Natarajan. (Photo Source: TNPL) Touted as India’s Mustafizur Rahman, Natarajan first grabbed everyone’s eyes when he was paid a hefty paycheck by the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL. Although he wasn’t able to do so well for Punjab, he was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. However, he didn’t get to feature in any of the games this year in the IPL. Natarajan was mighty impressive in the TNPL this year. The left-arm quick has bowled some great yorkers and cutters confusing the batsmen. The 27-year-old has picked 12 wickets in 8 games at an average of 12.42, which is the best this season. His economy rate, which was just 5 is also mindblowing.

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TNPL 2018: Best XI of the season

Have a look at the combined best XI of TNPL 2018.

9. S Ajith Ram | Lyca Kovai Kings

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