Chennai: After 28 thrilling league stage matches, the focusĀ shifts to the business end of the tournament as the top two teams, Dindigul Dragons and Siechem Madurai Panthers, clash in theĀ Qualifier 1 at the ICL Sankar Nagar Ground in Tirunelveli today.
Speaking about the game and his team’s prospect stand-in skipper of Dindigul, N Jagadeesan said they have a good shot at the title this season.
“The first season went very quickly, we were still adapting to the game. This season we have a much more balanced team, the players are stepping up and are taking extra responsibilities assigned to them. I think we have a good shot this season,” he said.
“We need to work a lot on our bowling. We did well in the last match with the ball but we must carry forward the momentum. It is time for the bowlers to step up and get wickets,” said the in-form skipper who had scored 302 runs in this season so far.
Both Dindigul Dragons and Siechem Madurai Panthers ended the league stage with five wins from seven games with the former earning pride of place on superior Net Run Rate. Dindigul Dragons won their meeting in the league phase.
The winner of this riveting encounter will directly secure a place in the title round to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, Aug 12, while the losing side wiill travel to Natham, Dindigul, to play the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 on Friday, Aug 10, for another shot as a place in the summit clash.
“It’s very much on our mind in a positive way (the loss to Dindigul). We want to play them, it’s an opportunity to prove our mettle by beating them,” said Thalaivan Sargunam of Madurai Madurai is making its first appearance in playoffs and Sargunam hopes the team could fare well.
“Everyone’s in good touch, and this allows me to bat freely and gives me the liberty to play my shots. Last year I was with Chepauk Super Gillies but a bunch of us always supported Madurai during neutral games and wanted them to win. This time by God’s grace everything is going well and now we want to win the trophy,” he said.
The third editionĀ will have a new champion after both the previous winners, Chepauk Super Gillies and Tuti Patriots, failed to qualify for the Playoffs.