Have all bases covered: Kovai captain Mukund

“For me this is a new franchise and I am lucky to be playing my third playoffs in-a-row. I think this is a good team although it is very important that we quickly adapt to the conditions because a lot of teams have been playing in Tirunelveli and we are back to Dindigul and it is a different ball game. I think we have prepared well and have all bases covered,” said Mukund during the pre-match press conference. 

The India opener felt the third edition of the state league has been the most fiercely contested one till date. “At the Player draft, people were more prudent about picking teams to their liking. I think a lot of teams have come together very quickly while some haven’t.  I think this has been the most competitive TNPL because almost six teams were in the race to qualify for the play-offs until the last league game.” 

Kovai Kings defeated Kaalai in the super over earlier in the league phase. Speaking on how much of an impact that will have on Thursday, he remarked, “It is always good to have a win against the team that you are meeting next. But, as I said before, the play-off game is different and also that was our first game of the season. Since then, both of us have come through in different ways. They are also a good team and it is going to be a good contest.” 

The Coimbatore-based franchise won its last round-robin match against Madurai Panthers comprehensively. On the importance of carrying that form forward, he explained, “It is very important because we didn’t have a great game in the previous match (VB Kanchi Veerans) but in spite of that we came back and chased well against Madurai Panthers. It should give us a lot of confidence.” 

Meanwhile. Kovai Kings head coach Monty Desai said his side is yet to perfectly execute its plan thus far.

“Overall in our campaign we still feel that we haven’t played our best cricket yet. Every game is different. We were disappointed at losing our penultimate game but to come back and correct that in the final game definitely helps.”

The 2018 Tamil Nadu Premier League Play-offs have been rescheduled following the cancellation of matches on Tuesday (August 7) and Wednesday (August 8) as a mark of respect to former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Thursday (Aug 9) will witness a double header at the NPR College ground in Natham (Dindigul) with table topper Dindigul Dragons taking on second-placed Madurai Panthers in Qualifier 1 (3.15 pm start), followed by the Eliminator between Kovai Kings and Karaikudi Kaalai (7.15 pm start). While the winner of Qualifier 1 will advance directly to the final to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday (Aug 12), the loser of Qualifier 1 will meet the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2 at the NPR College in Natham on Friday for a spot in the title round.