![[JUGRAJ SINGH]](https://www.unp.me/data/avatars/m/123/123038.jpg?1591210006){kind=avatar}
Chennai cricket fans may be missing Indian Premier League action, but the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association is trying to make up for it by having as much T20 action as possible before the domestic season.
After announcing a club-level T20 tournament last week, TNCA on Sunday (April 10) decided to host a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) from the last week of August to the second week of September. However, the big stars of the IPL won't be seen in action, because the association has decided to keep the tournament restricted only for the state players and the outstation recruits who play in the TNCA league.
The franchise-based tournament will have eight teams fighting for top honours. "The main motive for this league is to build a platform for amateur players to exhibit their T20 talent, have a sustainable model for developing infrastructure in districts and bring in new audiences to the grounds.The league will only feature players from the state. The tender process for media rights and franchise rights will be finalized by the end of this month," a TNCA official said.
The inaugural edition of the league will be played only in Chennai. "In 2017, we plan to have a few matches at the NPR College Grounds in Natham (Dindigul) as it has very good facilities and has played host to a few Ranji Trophy clashes in the recent past," the official added. It was told that the club tournament, featuring 12 teams in May-June, will provide the platform for the franchises to have a look at the players. "Players who do well the in club T20 tournament will be hot property for the TNPL. This tournament, much like the IPL, may also help in unearthing unknown talent who can do well at the state and national level as well," the official added.
Former state left-arm spinner and senior coach Sunil Subramaniam believes this is a step in the right direction. "With no Twenty20 action in the city , fans accustomed to seeing the CSK play feel deprieved. These tournaments will definitely bring the audiences back to the ground. If a tournament like this throws up even a couple of players for Tamil Nadu, it is a big plus," he said.
The tournament can also provide a talent pool that can be utilized for CSK when they are back in the fold after serving a two-year ban. "Quality local talent can be a game-changer for any franchise. It would be good if CSK can avail some ready-made players on their return," Sunil added.
However, the TNPL will be played at the same time when the Buchi Babu invitational meet is also played. The TNCA authorities did not confirm if they are going to do away with the tournament, which is seen as a preparatory event for many teams across the country.
KNOWING TNPL
League to have eight teams fighting for top honour.League to take place from last week of August to the second week of September League to feature only state players and the outstation recruits who play in the TNCA league.
After announcing a club-level T20 tournament last week, TNCA on Sunday (April 10) decided to host a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) from the last week of August to the second week of September. However, the big stars of the IPL won't be seen in action, because the association has decided to keep the tournament restricted only for the state players and the outstation recruits who play in the TNCA league.
The franchise-based tournament will have eight teams fighting for top honours. "The main motive for this league is to build a platform for amateur players to exhibit their T20 talent, have a sustainable model for developing infrastructure in districts and bring in new audiences to the grounds.The league will only feature players from the state. The tender process for media rights and franchise rights will be finalized by the end of this month," a TNCA official said.
The inaugural edition of the league will be played only in Chennai. "In 2017, we plan to have a few matches at the NPR College Grounds in Natham (Dindigul) as it has very good facilities and has played host to a few Ranji Trophy clashes in the recent past," the official added. It was told that the club tournament, featuring 12 teams in May-June, will provide the platform for the franchises to have a look at the players. "Players who do well the in club T20 tournament will be hot property for the TNPL. This tournament, much like the IPL, may also help in unearthing unknown talent who can do well at the state and national level as well," the official added.
Former state left-arm spinner and senior coach Sunil Subramaniam believes this is a step in the right direction. "With no Twenty20 action in the city , fans accustomed to seeing the CSK play feel deprieved. These tournaments will definitely bring the audiences back to the ground. If a tournament like this throws up even a couple of players for Tamil Nadu, it is a big plus," he said.
The tournament can also provide a talent pool that can be utilized for CSK when they are back in the fold after serving a two-year ban. "Quality local talent can be a game-changer for any franchise. It would be good if CSK can avail some ready-made players on their return," Sunil added.
However, the TNPL will be played at the same time when the Buchi Babu invitational meet is also played. The TNCA authorities did not confirm if they are going to do away with the tournament, which is seen as a preparatory event for many teams across the country.
KNOWING TNPL
League to have eight teams fighting for top honour.League to take place from last week of August to the second week of September League to feature only state players and the outstation recruits who play in the TNCA league.
![[JUGRAJ SINGH]](https://www.unp.me/data/avatars/s/123/123038.jpg?1591210006){kind=avatar}