Qualifier 1 of TNPL 2025 pits Chepauk Super Gillies against IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in what promises to be a high-octane showdown. But let’s be frank — while big sixes and batting explosions may get the crowd going, more often than not, the bowlers are the ones who quietly dictate outcomes. In this pressure match, our three featured bowlers, Abhishek Tanwar, J Prem Kumar, and Sai Kishore, are the ones to look out for. So, if you are one of those fans who get goosebumps from a knee-bending yorker, this one’s for you.
Abhishek Tanwar: CSG
When it comes to consistency and control under TNPL 2025, Abhishek Tanwar must be at the top of your list. He has taken 16 wickets in 10 matches with a strike rate of 14.87, and you cannot just look at numbers for a player who plays well under pressure. Whether he is bowling at the batter in the powerplay overs or coming back to break partnerships in the middle overs, Tanwar has managed to consistently bowl heavy length, making him a real asset to CSG.
Tanwar’s action is a little skiddy, and he can change his pace, making him very difficult for batters to dispatch when trying to take on the bowlers early. With a TT line-up that can be heavy at the top, expect Tanwar to set the tone with the new ball; if he can get one early wicket, there will be a swing in momentum that could favour CSG.
Sai Kishore: TT
At the other end of the spectrum is R Sai Kishore, TT’s magnificent left-arm orthodox manipulator who has been quietly, but effectively dismantling batting line-ups. His stats read 13 wickets in 10 games, at an economy of 6.76 – he doesn’t just get wickets, he strangles the run rate like a boa constrictor.
What makes Sai Kishore so effective is his intelligence. He varies his pace in subtle ways, he knows when to dart in flat and when to tempt with flight. He has a massive role to play in a crunch game like Qualifier 1, where dot balls are worth their weight in gold. Particularly in the case of CSG’s middle order, which has not always been the most aggressive, Sai could force them into false shots and build scoreboard pressure. One tight spell from him may be the difference between a 160-chase and a 130-dogfight.
J Prem Kumar: CSG
J Prem Kumar doesn’t often find himself in the news — perhaps he should. The CSG pacer has taken 11 wickets in just 8 games with an economy of 7.44, making him one of the most effective supporting bowlers this season. What he offers is variety: short-of-length cutters, slower balls, and a calm, calculated approach under pressure.
In a Qualifier where every slice of luck counts, Prem Kumar’s role may be defined by making sure one end doesn’t leak – and he also has to occasionally step up and take out a set batter. He’s that bowler who’s not going to get Player of the Match because in four overs, you’ve got 1 for 18, but in his performance, he has potentially shifted the game.
While the batters may receive acclaim, you can expect the bowlers to provide more plot twists in Qualifier 1. From Tanwar taking early wickets, to Kishore strangling the middle overs, to Prem Kumar just taking down a batsman at the death — it will most likely be that the winner of this game will be won from 22 yards, not 22 rows back behind the sight-screen.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.
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