Latest news with #TrichyGrandCholas


The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Self-taught, pressure-tested: M. Poiyamozhi's TNPL blueprint
After restricting the Trichy Grand Cholas to 28 for four in the PowerPlay while defending 180, the Salem Spartans looked firmly in control. But a 41-ball, 88-run stand between R. Rajkumar and J. Kousik threatened to snatch the game away. When Rajkumar fell in the 17th over, the match hung in the balance — 16 needed off the final six balls. Despite conceding 34 in his previous two overs, the ball was handed to M. Poiyamozhi. The first delivery — an attempted yorker missed its mark by a few inches and was whipped to the boundary. Now 12 from 5. Then came the switch. The experienced pacer went back to his trusted slower ball. Only four runs came off the remaining five deliveries. Kousik fell on the last ball, undone by an off-pace short ball. Spartans clinched a nervy win, and Poiyamozhi had delivered once again. 'My slower ball grips in general, but because of the wet ball (following a drizzle ahead of the game), the ball was coming on well for the batters. I decided to go with Plan B — the yorker,' Poiyamozhi told Sportstar. 'I have played countless TNPL matches, but when it comes down to 16 from 6, the pressure is always on the bowler. I was trying to stay calm and give myself confidence. I tried the slower yorker next up. It landed, and it proved difficult to hit.' Poiyamozhi has made a habit of standing up when it matters. With 57 wickets in just 40 matches, he sits ninth on the all-time TNPL wicket-takers list. His strike rate of 15.61 is second-best among the top 10 — proof of a bowler who thrives under pressure. His current reputation as a death-overs specialist didn't come easy. It came through years of adjustment, rejection, and self-instruction. 'Four years back, I used to bowl a couple of overs in the PowerPlay, but as I gained experience, I started bowling at the death. My seam-up delivery used to swing and move off the deck earlier, but the team wanted someone to bowl at the death,' he said. 'Even now, I can show that I can bowl good pace, but that's not what my team wants. My job is to ensure I don't concede many at the death.' A native of Avadi, Poiyamozhi began with the Thiruvallur Under-15 district team. But he never progressed beyond the district level. For years, he stayed stuck in the system with no formal coach and no first-class pathway. 'I was quick then, but I used to leak a lot of runs. I had no idea what I should bowl. It is only after the advent of T20 cricket that I realised I need variations.' Poiyamozhi's current reputation as a death-overs specialist didn't come easy. | Photo Credit: TNPL Much of his craft — slower balls, yorkers, angles — was self-taught. 'In the U-15s, we used to play 10-over or six-over games, and we only had two overs to bowl, so we tried picking as many wickets as possible,' he said. 'We were taught to bowl line and length and target the right areas later in league cricket, but I found that hard. I was able to bowl only three out of six balls in the right areas because I kept going after picking wickets.' In 2024, Poiyamozhi was playing third-division cricket for Sical Recreation Club, picking six wickets in seven games to help secure promotion. At 32, he knows his ceiling may be limited, but he also knows what TNPL has given him — and others like him. 'There was very little support from home. Injuries kept recurring. My mom asked why I continue to play despite having completed my education,' he said. 'I loved playing cricket, and I requested some time to figure things out. It was the TNPL that helped me convince them. The fact that they were able to see me on TV gave them the confidence that I'm getting somewhere with the game.' That journey has already made a difference at home. His younger brother, M. Udhaya Kumar, made his TNPL debut this season for Nellai Royal Kings. 'He grew up looking at me playing cricket, so his run-up and bowling action are quite similar to mine,' Poiyamozhi said. 'Because of my TNPL success, my brother found it a lot easier. Not just my life, but many cricketers' lives have been changed by TNPL.' In a league full of eye-catching six-hitters and flashy young talents, Poiyamozhi's story is different. No academy grooming. No early state caps. Just grit, slow balls, and belief.


The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Hari, Sunny and Mohammed steal the limelight as Spartans get past Cholas
C. Hari Nishaanth's stylish 83 (58b, 7x4, 3x6), and M. Mohammed's brilliant spell (four for 20) were the highlights of SKM Salem Spartans' thrilling seven-run win over Trichy Grand Cholas in the TNPL at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground here on Tuesday. Spartans, put in to bat, made 179 for eight on the back of a 93-run partnership between Hari Nishaanth and Sunny Sandhu (45, 27b, 1x4, 4x6) for the fourth wicket. In reply, the Cholas' chase went off the rails in the PowerPlay once Sunny removed S. Sujay and Waseem Ahmed. The Trichy side managed only 28 for four in the first six overs, and slumped into deeper trouble at 48 for six. However, J. Kousik (62, 39b, 5x4, 3x6) and R. Rajkumar (59, 26b, 5x4, 5x6) did not go down without a fight and gave a mighty scare by smashing the Spartans' bowlers all over the park during their 88-run alliance for the seventh wicket off just 41 balls. The experienced Mohammed eventually struck twice in the 17th over, including that of Rajkumar, to turn the tide again. Kousik, though kept the hopes alive till the end, but his decision not to farm the strike after hitting the first ball of the 20th over to the boundary proved costly as his side fell short by the barest of margins. Earlier, Hari's innings was all about timing and elegance as he hit some pristine drives down the ground and through covers off the pacers in the PowerPlay to get his side off to a steady start. After the 10th over, the opener and Sunny (45) stepped up a gear, taking on the spinners who struggled to grip the wet ball following evening rains that caused a 25-minute delay to the start of the game. Though Cholas pulled things back in the last five, giving just 41 runs, the failure of the top-order proved costly in the end. The scores: SKM Salem Spartans 179/8 in 20 overs (C. Hari Nishaanth 83, Sunny Sandhu 45, Athisayaraj 3/31) bt Trichy Grand Cholas 172/9 in 20 overs (J. Kousik 62, R. Rajkumar 59, Sunny Sandhu 2/18, Mohammed 4/20). Toss: Grand Cholas. Wednesday's match: Lyca Kovai Kings vs Siechem Madurai Panthers (7.15 p.m.).

Fashion Value Chain
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Fashion Value Chain
FOMO7 Continues as Front-Jersey Sponsor for Trichy Grand Cholas in TNPL 2025
The Trichy Grand Cholas have announced their partnership with FOMO7 Games as the front-jersey sponsor for the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025. This marks the second consecutive year the online gaming platform will be featured on the team's uniform. FOMO7 and Trichy Grand Cholas renew their partnership for the TNPL 2025 season The continued collaboration emphasizes the rising commercial appeal of the Trichy Grand Cholas. The team narrowly missed out on the playoffs in the 2024 season. Since then, the Grand Cholas have acquired U. Mukilesh and J. Suresh Kumar. The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising young talent. FOMO7 debuted in the TNPL as a prominent sponsor for the Trichy Grand Cholas in 2024. Since then, the company has expanded its sponsorships to include Major League Cricket (MLC) partnerships and World Championship of Legends (WCL) tournaments. FOMO7's second-year patronage of the team reflects a commitment to domestic cricket leagues. 'We are excited to partner with the Trichy Grand Cholas and be a part of the Tamil Nadu Premier League,' said Kris Fernandez, Head of Operations at FOMO7. 'The TNPL consistently delivers thrilling cricket, and we look forward to engaging with Tamil Nadus loyal fans.' The TNPL 2025 season commences in June, with the Trichy Grand Cholas taking on the Nellai Royal Kings in their first match. The Trichy Grand Cholas will aim to build on their past performances and make a strong impact in the upcoming tournament. About FOMO7 Games FOMO Games is a free-to-play online gaming platform that offers a diverse range of games and interactive experiences. The catalog includes racing games, brain games, and more.


The Wire
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Wire
BTZO Named Back-of-Jersey Sponsor for Trichy Grand Cholas in TNPL 2025
Trichy, Tamil Nadu – June, 2025 – BTZO has been confirmed as the official back-of-jersey sponsor for the Trichy Grand Cholas ahead of the 2025 Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Representatives from both parties jointly announced the collaboration. The sponsorship marks the first time the global crypto exchange and cricket team have partnered for the … Continue reading "BTZO Named Back-of-Jersey Sponsor for Trichy Grand Cholas in TNPL 2025"


India.com
07-06-2025
- Sport
- India.com
Nellai Royal Kings vs Trichy Grand Cholas: Who Will Win? TNPL 2025 Preview And Dream11 Picks
The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 continues with an exciting clash between the Nellai Royal Kings (NRK) and the Trichy Grand Cholas (TGC) on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Sri Ramakrishna College Ground, Coimbatore, starting at 7:15 PM IST. Match Preview: Nellai Royal Kings vs Trichy Grand Cholas The Nellai Royal Kings, renowned for their consistent performances in previous seasons, enter this match with a balanced squad that features experienced players and emerging talents. On the other hand, the Trichy Grand Cholas are aiming to make a significant impact this season with a revamped squad and new strategies. Both teams have showcased exciting cricket in past editions, and this contest is expected to be a close one, especially with the pitch at Coimbatore traditionally offering assistance to both batters and spinners. NRK vs TGC Probable Playing XIs Nellai Royal Kings Probable Playing XIs Arun Karthik, Ajitesh Guruswamy, PS Nirmal Kumar, Sonu Yadav, Rocky Bhasker, Emmanuel Cherian, Ajay Krishna, Muhammed Adnan Khan, NS Harish, Valliappan Yudheeswaran, S Vijay Kumar Trichy Grand Cholas Probable Playing XIs U Mukilesh, Jagatheesan Kousik, Washington Sundar, Sanjay Yadav, Jafar Jamal, Suresh Kumar, T Saran, P Saravana Kumar, V Athisayaraj Davidson, M Ganesh Moorthi, Antony Dhas Dream11 Fantasy Team Prediction - Team 1 Batters: Sujay Sivasankaran, Muhammed Adnan Khan All Rounders: Jagatheesan Kousik, R Rajkumar, Sonu Yadav, Sanjay Yadav, S Vijay Kumar Wicket Keeper: Arun Karthik Bowlers: M Ganesh Moorthi, V Athisayaraj Davidson, NS Harish Captain: Sonu Yadav, Vice Captain: Sanjay Yadav Dream11 Fantasy Team Prediction - Team 2 Batters: Jafar Jamal, Sujay Sivasankaran, Muhammed Adnan Khan All Rounders: Sonu Yadav, Sanjay Yadav, S Vijay Kumar Wicket Keeper: Arun Karthik Bowlers: V Athisayaraj Davidson, Sachin Rathi, K Easwaran, Ajay Krishna Captain: Sonu Yadav, Vice Captain: S Vijay Kumar Note: Fantasy cricket involves considerable risk and is based on individual judgment. Please make your selections carefully.