Star Sports announces TNPL’s commencement date

The Tamil Nadu Premier League grew in stature and popularity in only one year of its inaugural season, which was played last year. The tournament was started by former BCCI chief N. Srinivasan after CSK were axed from the Indian Premier League. Much like IPL, or any competitive tournament for that matter, the league has eight teams from all over the state.

These include Madurai Super Giants, TUTI Patriots, Lyca Kovai Kings, VB Thiruvallur Veerans, Chepauk Super Gillies, Ruby Kanchi Warriors, Dindigul Dragons and Karaikudi Kaalai.

The brand ambassador of the tournament is former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden. In 2016, the Champions were TUTI Patriots, who were awarded 1 Crore rupees as prize money. Chepauk Super Gillies were the runners up who received Rs.60 Lakhs. This year, many new venues in the state like Coimbatore will also host matches.

The tournament begins on 22^nd July and will be telecast live on Star Sports. The broadcaster’s official Twitter handle shared, “The India Cements @TNPremierLeague is coming back ‘bigger and better’ from 22nd July, only on Star Sports! Machas, ready to play some cricket?

The India Cements @TNPremierLeague is coming back 'bigger and better' from 22nd July, only on Star Sports! Machas, ready to play some ?? pic.twitter.com/7o2Bsls9m2

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 28, 2017

No outstation players allowed 

The downside to the tournament, however, is that no outstation players can take part in it. This year, as many as 88 players from other states, including the likes of  Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson and others signed up for the draft. But none of them will get to play.

“A letter has been sent along with minutes of a BCCI working committee decision from a few years back which clearly says that outstation players won’t be allowed in state association T20 league.” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by Indian Express

However, in many other domestic leagues in India, outstation players play in state competitions. Players from Gujarat play in the Maharashtra T20 league. Similarly, plays of Jharkhand play in Bengal domestic league. For now, fans will have to enjoy only the Tamil Nadu players in the league.