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NBA Play-In Picks: Best Bets for Warriors vs Clippers and Magic vs 76ers | Deadspin.com  Jan 30, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) and center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) react after basket against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Either Stephen Curry or Kawhi Leonard will miss the playoff this season while a whole team of Portland Trail Blazers will be part of the festivities.That tells the story of what underachievers the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are entering their Western Conference play-in game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The season is over for the losing team while the winner gets another chance to make the playoffs on Friday.The Eastern Conference play-in game between the Orlando Magic and host Philadelphia 76ers is also on tap. Absentee-prone Joel Embiid (38 games) and Paul George (37) reminded us exactly who they are as neither player participated in half of Philadelphia’s regular-season games.GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT LOS ANGELES CLIPPERSGolden State likes to point to only having Curry for 43 games due to injuries as the reason for its decline but the franchise has been crumbling in the ruins even when he’s on the floor. We hate to see dynasty teams turn into the New Orleans Pelicans but this team is on pace to be that way next season.Curry can still bomb away with the best of them, so expect him to launch plenty of 3-point aerials. The confidence is always on high from outside and a big night from behind the arc would elevate the Warriors’ chances of winning.Stephen Curry to make the most 3-pointers in this game, +116 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Leonard has been carrying the Clippers most of the season and for all the time since James Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 34-year-old averaged a career-best 27.9 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in 57 straight games.In the loser-goes-home contest, you can expect Leonard to continue being the man and perhaps turning in a 40-point performance. The Clippers surely aren’t going to be looking for Brook Lopez or Kris Dunn to double their averages, they are going to fully revolve around their best player like any other night.Kawhi Leonard to score 31-plus points, -111 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+  ORLANDO MAGIC AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERSEmbiid and George were expected to team up with Tyrese Maxey to give Philadelphia a nice three-player attack that would easily land a top-six playoff spot. Oops, that didn’t happen and Maxey was mostly a one-gang team while averaging a career-best 28.3 points per game.Embiid will miss the contest due to undergoing an appendectomy – OK, so this is more of a bad-luck thing so we’re not going to pick on him. His absence, though, just makes it even clearer that Philadelphia needs another big-time effort from Maxey to beat the Magic.Tyrese Maxey to score the most points in this game, -115 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Paolo Banchero was all-everything in the regular-season finale against the Boston Celtics with 23 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple-double. You know he will be primed for another solid game but the scoring line for Banchero (24-plus points, -109) is troublesome since he has scored fewer than 24 in eight of the past nine games.There’s also this – Desmond Bane has scored 10 total points over the past two games. Repeat – 10. He often scores that many in a single quarter. Yet earlier this month, he went 27, 27, 25 over a three-game stretch. It reasons that the good Bane will be back on display Wednesday.Desmond Bane to score 20-plus points, -112 Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+   #NBA #PlayIn #Picks #Bets #Warriors #Clippers #Magic #76ers #Deadspin.com

NBA Play-In Picks: Best Bets for Warriors vs Clippers and Magic vs 76ers | Deadspin.com
NBA Play-In Picks: Best Bets for Warriors vs Clippers and Magic vs 76ers | Deadspin.com  Jan 30, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) and center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) react after basket against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images   Either Stephen Curry or Kawhi Leonard will miss the playoff this season while a whole team of Portland Trail Blazers will be part of the festivities.That tells the story of what underachievers the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are entering their Western Conference play-in game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The season is over for the losing team while the winner gets another chance to make the playoffs on Friday.The Eastern Conference play-in game between the Orlando Magic and host Philadelphia 76ers is also on tap. Absentee-prone Joel Embiid (38 games) and Paul George (37) reminded us exactly who they are as neither player participated in half of Philadelphia’s regular-season games.GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT LOS ANGELES CLIPPERSGolden State likes to point to only having Curry for 43 games due to injuries as the reason for its decline but the franchise has been crumbling in the ruins even when he’s on the floor. We hate to see dynasty teams turn into the New Orleans Pelicans but this team is on pace to be that way next season.Curry can still bomb away with the best of them, so expect him to launch plenty of 3-point aerials. The confidence is always on high from outside and a big night from behind the arc would elevate the Warriors’ chances of winning.Stephen Curry to make the most 3-pointers in this game, +116 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Leonard has been carrying the Clippers most of the season and for all the time since James Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 34-year-old averaged a career-best 27.9 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in 57 straight games.In the loser-goes-home contest, you can expect Leonard to continue being the man and perhaps turning in a 40-point performance. The Clippers surely aren’t going to be looking for Brook Lopez or Kris Dunn to double their averages, they are going to fully revolve around their best player like any other night.Kawhi Leonard to score 31-plus points, -111 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+  ORLANDO MAGIC AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERSEmbiid and George were expected to team up with Tyrese Maxey to give Philadelphia a nice three-player attack that would easily land a top-six playoff spot. Oops, that didn’t happen and Maxey was mostly a one-gang team while averaging a career-best 28.3 points per game.Embiid will miss the contest due to undergoing an appendectomy – OK, so this is more of a bad-luck thing so we’re not going to pick on him. His absence, though, just makes it even clearer that Philadelphia needs another big-time effort from Maxey to beat the Magic.Tyrese Maxey to score the most points in this game, -115 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Paolo Banchero was all-everything in the regular-season finale against the Boston Celtics with 23 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple-double. You know he will be primed for another solid game but the scoring line for Banchero (24-plus points, -109) is troublesome since he has scored fewer than 24 in eight of the past nine games.There’s also this – Desmond Bane has scored 10 total points over the past two games. Repeat – 10. He often scores that many in a single quarter. Yet earlier this month, he went 27, 27, 25 over a three-game stretch. It reasons that the good Bane will be back on display Wednesday.Desmond Bane to score 20-plus points, -112 Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to 0 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to 0T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy value with just a + depositT&Cs apply, 18+   #NBA #PlayIn #Picks #Bets #Warriors #Clippers #Magic #76ers #Deadspin.comJan 30, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) and center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) react after basket against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Either Stephen Curry or Kawhi Leonard will miss the playoff this season while a whole team of Portland Trail Blazers will be part of the festivities.

That tells the story of what underachievers the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are entering their Western Conference play-in game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The season is over for the losing team while the winner gets another chance to make the playoffs on Friday.

The Eastern Conference play-in game between the Orlando Magic and host Philadelphia 76ers is also on tap. Absentee-prone Joel Embiid (38 games) and Paul George (37) reminded us exactly who they are as neither player participated in half of Philadelphia’s regular-season games.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Golden State likes to point to only having Curry for 43 games due to injuries as the reason for its decline but the franchise has been crumbling in the ruins even when he’s on the floor. We hate to see dynasty teams turn into the New Orleans Pelicans but this team is on pace to be that way next season.

Curry can still bomb away with the best of them, so expect him to launch plenty of 3-point aerials. The confidence is always on high from outside and a big night from behind the arc would elevate the Warriors’ chances of winning.

Stephen Curry to make the most 3-pointers in this game, +116 (DraftKings)

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Leonard has been carrying the Clippers most of the season and for all the time since James Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 34-year-old averaged a career-best 27.9 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in 57 straight games.

In the loser-goes-home contest, you can expect Leonard to continue being the man and perhaps turning in a 40-point performance. The Clippers surely aren’t going to be looking for Brook Lopez or Kris Dunn to double their averages, they are going to fully revolve around their best player like any other night.

Kawhi Leonard to score 31-plus points, -111 (DraftKings)

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ORLANDO MAGIC AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Embiid and George were expected to team up with Tyrese Maxey to give Philadelphia a nice three-player attack that would easily land a top-six playoff spot. Oops, that didn’t happen and Maxey was mostly a one-gang team while averaging a career-best 28.3 points per game.

Embiid will miss the contest due to undergoing an appendectomy – OK, so this is more of a bad-luck thing so we’re not going to pick on him. His absence, though, just makes it even clearer that Philadelphia needs another big-time effort from Maxey to beat the Magic.

Tyrese Maxey to score the most points in this game, -115 (DraftKings)

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Paolo Banchero was all-everything in the regular-season finale against the Boston Celtics with 23 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple-double. You know he will be primed for another solid game but the scoring line for Banchero (24-plus points, -109) is troublesome since he has scored fewer than 24 in eight of the past nine games.

There’s also this – Desmond Bane has scored 10 total points over the past two games. Repeat – 10. He often scores that many in a single quarter. Yet earlier this month, he went 27, 27, 25 over a three-game stretch. It reasons that the good Bane will be back on display Wednesday.

Desmond Bane to score 20-plus points, -112

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#NBA #PlayIn #Picks #Bets #Warriors #Clippers #Magic #76ers #Deadspin.com

Jan 30, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) and center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) react after basket against the Toronto Raptors in the fourth quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Either Stephen Curry or Kawhi Leonard will miss the playoff this season while a whole team of Portland Trail Blazers will be part of the festivities.

That tells the story of what underachievers the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are entering their Western Conference play-in game on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The season is over for the losing team while the winner gets another chance to make the playoffs on Friday.

The Eastern Conference play-in game between the Orlando Magic and host Philadelphia 76ers is also on tap. Absentee-prone Joel Embiid (38 games) and Paul George (37) reminded us exactly who they are as neither player participated in half of Philadelphia’s regular-season games.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS AT LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Golden State likes to point to only having Curry for 43 games due to injuries as the reason for its decline but the franchise has been crumbling in the ruins even when he’s on the floor. We hate to see dynasty teams turn into the New Orleans Pelicans but this team is on pace to be that way next season.

Curry can still bomb away with the best of them, so expect him to launch plenty of 3-point aerials. The confidence is always on high from outside and a big night from behind the arc would elevate the Warriors’ chances of winning.

Stephen Curry to make the most 3-pointers in this game, +116 (DraftKings)

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Leonard has been carrying the Clippers most of the season and for all the time since James Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 34-year-old averaged a career-best 27.9 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in 57 straight games.

In the loser-goes-home contest, you can expect Leonard to continue being the man and perhaps turning in a 40-point performance. The Clippers surely aren’t going to be looking for Brook Lopez or Kris Dunn to double their averages, they are going to fully revolve around their best player like any other night.

Kawhi Leonard to score 31-plus points, -111 (DraftKings)

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ORLANDO MAGIC AT PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Embiid and George were expected to team up with Tyrese Maxey to give Philadelphia a nice three-player attack that would easily land a top-six playoff spot. Oops, that didn’t happen and Maxey was mostly a one-gang team while averaging a career-best 28.3 points per game.

Embiid will miss the contest due to undergoing an appendectomy – OK, so this is more of a bad-luck thing so we’re not going to pick on him. His absence, though, just makes it even clearer that Philadelphia needs another big-time effort from Maxey to beat the Magic.

Tyrese Maxey to score the most points in this game, -115 (DraftKings)

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Paolo Banchero was all-everything in the regular-season finale against the Boston Celtics with 23 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his fifth career triple-double. You know he will be primed for another solid game but the scoring line for Banchero (24-plus points, -109) is troublesome since he has scored fewer than 24 in eight of the past nine games.

There’s also this – Desmond Bane has scored 10 total points over the past two games. Repeat – 10. He often scores that many in a single quarter. Yet earlier this month, he went 27, 27, 25 over a three-game stretch. It reasons that the good Bane will be back on display Wednesday.

Desmond Bane to score 20-plus points, -112

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Shreyas Iyer has told me not to take pressure; it’s his job as captain to do that: Nehal Wadhera <div id="content-body-70865687" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Nehal Wadhera was deep in conversation with Shreyas Iyer at the Wankhede Stadium ahead of Punjab Kings’ IPL clash against Mumbai Indians. </p><p>The youngster, who has struggled for form with just 27 runs in three innings, was keen to pick his captain’s brain on rediscovering his rhythm.</p><p>Shreyas, known for his calm demeanour, listened patiently before offering a simple yet impactful piece of advice. “He told me to play without any pressure and said that, as captain, it’s his job to take the pressure,” Wadhera said.</p><p>“That tells you a lot about him as a leader. He enjoys the pressure, and you can see that in his performances and his batting,” he added.</p><p><b>Preview | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/mumbai-indians-vs-punjab-kings-ipl-2026-match-preview-mi-v-pbks-rohit-sharma-injury-news/article70865541.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Under-fire Mumbai Indians to be tested by high-flying Punjab Kings</a></b></p><p>“It’s a big thing for a captain to say this to a player, that you just play your game, don’t worry about the results as I’m here to handle the pressure and take the team over the line. These are the kind of conversations we have in the dressing room.”</p><p>Wadhera also highlighted the positive environment fostered by head coach Ricky Ponting, crediting him for instilling confidence in the squad.</p><p>“He just speaks positively. He doesn’t have any negative words in his dictionary,” Wadhera said.</p><p>“Even if a player gets out, he focuses on the positives. A batter doesn’t fear failure because he knows he has the backing of the coach.”</p><p>With strong support from both captain and coach, Wadhera believes the environment within the Punjab Kings camp allows players the freedom to express themselves.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 15, 2026</p></div> #Shreyas #Iyer #told #pressure #job #captain #Nehal #Wadhera

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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