Today’s TNPL action pits ITT vs SS at the SCF Cricket Ground in Salem. The pitch at SCF is generally a balanced surface – early on the fast bowlers can get movement with the new ball, but it tends to slow and assist spinners later. Batters who settle in can accelerate in the later overs. Scores of around 150–170 per side are common here. In past TNPL games at Salem, batting first has often been a bit easier, though overall it’s a fair contest between bat and ball. Keep this in mind when setting your lineup (for example, both pacers and spinners can be handy picks here).
In terms of scoring, the PerfectLineup model projects totals in the mid-150s to low-160s. If Tiruppur bat first, they could be in the region of 160–165; Salem might manage 155–160 batting first. Overall, the model slightly favors Tiruppur, suggesting they have a decent edge (by roughly 25–35 runs, or about 6 wickets if chasing). In short, make sure to include in-form hard-hitters and all-rounders who can score and pick wickets – that’s often the key on a balanced pitch.
Looking at past matches, a few names stand out at this venue. Salem’s Sunny Sandhu (an aggressive all-rounder) has repeatedly made an impact, as has Tiruppur’s Pradosh Ranjan Paul. Veteran batsman R Kavin (who keeps wickets) also scores runs consistently, and keepers/batsmen like Tushar Raheja (ITT) can change games. All three – Sandhu, Paul and Kavin – have big innings here in recent seasons, so they’re worth considering in your fantasy XI. Bowlers to watch include spinner R Sai Kishore (often among the wickets) and pacer M Poiyamozhi, both of whom thrive in these conditions.
In head-to-head TNPL clashes, these teams have met a handful of times. They’ve played five matches overall, with Salem winning 3 and Tiruppur 2. (Early seasons aside, they’ve split wins evenly.) Sunny Sandhu and S. Mohamed Ali for Salem, plus Tiruppur all-rounders like Ali and Mathivannan, have often been key performers when these teams meet. Keep an eye on those names in this match.
Top Fantasy Picks
Based on recent form and this ground’s history, here are the top players to target:
- Tushar Raheja (WK, ITT) – A wicket-keeper batter in great touch; long innings recently.
- Sunny Sandhu (AR, SS) – A genuine all-rounder, valuable with both bat and ball.
- M. Mohammed (AR, SS) – All-rounder who bowls tight and can slog; excellent recent form.
- R. Sai Kishore (BWL, ITT) – Leading spinner for Tiruppur; often among wickets.
- Esakkimuthu (BWL, ITT) – Leg-spinner with good control, frequently earns fantasy points.
- Hari Nishanth (BAT, SS) – Aggressive opener; in good touch lately.
These names appear repeatedly in experts’ lists. You’ll notice some are in both teams’ top picks – that’s fine; just pick the best combination for your squad. Also consider match-ups: for example, Nidhish Rajagopal (SS batsman) has been among runs, and deep hitters like Pradosh Ranjan Paul (ITT) could explode.
If batting first (team insights)
- ITT batting first: Top choices are Sunny Sandhu (all-rounder), Tushar Raheja (keeper-bat), Hari Nishanth, R Kavin, Esakkimuthu. These players tend to bat high and play big innings.
- SS batting first: Leading picks include Raheja, Sandhu, M Mohammed, Nidhish Rajagopal, M Poiyamozhi (bowler). Salem’s all-rounders and finishers are deadly in the first innings.
Both scenarios emphasize all-rounders and aggressive batters, since they fetch the highest fantasy points.
Captain and Vice-Captain
For captaincy, pick someone reliable with high upside. M. Mohammed, T. Raheja, or H. Nishanth make safe, consistent captains (each bowls and bats). On the riskier side, players like T. Natarajan (TT seamer) or Pradosh Ranjan Paul (TT bat) could be captains if you want a differential – they have match-winning potential if the gamble pays off. Many experts suggest the likes of Mohammed, Sandhu, Raheja or Sai Kishore as captain/vc options because they all contribute in multiple departments.
Match Preview Wrap-Up
This preview gives you the data-driven edge you need – not a guess but a PerfectLineup. We hope the insights on pitch, historical scores, and player form help you craft a winning Dream11 team. If you want even more control, try the Perfect Lineup App: you can mark any player as “Preferred” or “Locked” if you’re confident about them, and even exclude players you doubt. Once your custom lineup is set, export it directly to your favorite fantasy platform with one click. Good luck, and enjoy the game – it’s not a guess, it’s PerfectLineup!
