In the 16th match of Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025, Siechem Madurai Panthers (SMP) set to take on Nellai Royal Kings (NRK) SCF Cricket Ground in Salem. Both sides boasting a formidable squad and look to register an important win.

The Panthers, known for their gritty performances, come into the game with a well-balanced squad featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging local talents. Their top order, led by a consistent opener Balchander Anirudh, has been getting the job done, but the real strength lies in their spin-heavy bowling attack led by Murugan Ashwin, which thrives on slower surfaces.

On the other hand, the Kings positioned fourth on the points table with 2 wins in 3 games. Boasting power hitters in the middle order and a couple of quality pacers likes of Nidhish Rajagopal and M Mohammed, the Kings will rely on their all-round depth to put the Panthers under pressure. Their ability to adapt in crunch moments could be key.

SMP vs NRK Head-to-Head

Matches Played: 05 | SMP won: 02 | NRK won: 03 | No results: 00 |

SMP vs NRK Match Details

• Date and Time: June 18, 7:15 pm IST / 1:45 pm GMT
• Venue: SCF Cricket Ground, Salem

SCF Cricket Ground Pitch Report:

The pitch at the SCF Cricket Ground in Salem typically provides an even battle between bat and ball. Seamers are likely to find movement early with the new ball, but the surface becomes more batting-friendly as the innings progresses. Spinners tend to make an impact during the middle overs, particularly under lights, where some turn and grip come into play. Batters who settle in early can accelerate effectively in the latter stages. Totals in the range of 150 to 170 are frequently seen here, with chasing sides enjoying a slight advantage in recent encounters.

SMP vs NRK Dream11 Prediction Picks

• Wicketkeepers: Arun Karthik, Ram Arvindh-R, Ganesh-S
• Batters: Santosh Kumar Duraisamy, B Anirudh Sita Ram, NS Chaturved
• All-rounders: Sonu Yadav, NS Harish, Murugan Ashwin
• Bowlers: Sachin Rathi, V Yudheeswaran

SMP vs NRK Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice Captain

• Choice 1: Sonu Yadav (c), Ram Arvindh-R (vc)
• Choice 2: Santosh Kumar Duraisamy (c), B Anirudh Sita Ram (vc)

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SMP vs NRK Dream11 Prediction Backups

G Ajitesh, Mohammed Adnan Khan, Gurjapneet Singh, Atheeq Ur-Rahman-MA

SMP vs NRK Dream11 team for today’s match (June 18, 1:45 pm GMT):

Squads:

Siechem Madurai Panthers Squad: Ram Arvindh, Balchander Anirudh, NS Chaturved(c), Atheeq Ur Rahman, C Sarath Kumar, Shankar Ganesh(w), P Saravanan, Murugan Ashwin, S Rajalingam, P Vignesh, Gurjapneet Singh, J Ajay Chetan, Deepesh Devendran, Surya Anand S, Karthik Meiyappan, S Ganesh, Sanjeev Kumar, S Shyam Sundar, Gowtham Thamarai Kannan

Nellai Royal Kings Squad: Arun Karthik(c), Ajitesh Guruswamy, Rithik Easwaran(w), PS Nirmal Kumar, NS Harish, Sonu Yadav, Sachin Rathi, Muhammed Adnan Khan, Valliappan Yudheeswaran, Emmanuel Cherian, Rocky Bhasker, S Vijay Kumar, Ajay Krishna, D Santhosh Kumar, J Rohan, Uday Kumar M, Karan Sampat, selvaganapathi S, S Risheek Kumar, Arun Yoghi, Athish SR

Also READ: TNPL 2025 Squads: Here’s the complete list of players participating in season 9