Amid the growing COVID19 crisis in the country, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given a green signal to Tamil Nadu Cricket Association to host the fifth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League. The tournament will take place between June 4 and July 4 in a bio-secure environment.
While Tirunelveli will host the tournament opener between Dindigul Dragons and IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Salem will host the final encounter. The announcement comes after the BCCI granted permission to four state associations to host their intra-state T20 leagues immediately after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League on May 30.
TNPL 5 to start from June 4
In the wake of it, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association secretary R.S. Ramasaamy said that that TNPL will take place in a strict bubble with cricketers undergoing tests frequently. Meanwhile, the cricketers will have to quarantine rules that are in place for IPL, BCCI’s domestic matches, and international games.
“TNCA will follow strict Standard operating measures of bio bubble with frequent testing and quarantine rules as is being done for BCCI Domestic matches, International matches and with IPL,” Ramasaamy said.
Tamil Nadu Premier League will be played in a caravan format where teams will play their matches across three venues – Tirunelveli, Salem, and Coimbatore. A total of five matches would be held at Sankar Nagar Ground in Tirunelveli and eight at NPR College Ground in Dindigul, nine at SCF Cricket Ground in Salem, and ten at SNR College Cricket Ground in Coimbatore – the last two venues have been added for this season.
The tournament has eight franchises- Salem Spartans, Chepauk Super Gillies, LYCA Kovai Kings, Madurai Panthers, Ruby Trichy Warriors, Nellai Royal Kings, Dindigul Dragons, and IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans.
The organisers were keen to host TNPL 5 late last year, they were forced to postpone it because of the pandemic.
