All matches of the TNPL 2021 will be played in Chennai behind the closed doors.
The fifth season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL 2021) is all set to kickstart from July 19 with no spectators allowed for the domestic T20 tournament organized by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). The competition was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The TNCA announced the dates for the TNPL 2021 after getting the formal approval from the Tamil Nadu Government to stage the state’s premier T20 tournament in July-August.
In the TNPL 2021, there will be 32 matches, including the final, which all will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The 28-day affair will see seven double-headers in the league phase, which will be held without a break, with the final will be played on August 15.
The eight teams are – defending champion Chepauk Super Gillies, Dindigul Dragons, LYCA Kovai Kings, Salem Spartans, iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Ruby Trichy Warriors, Nellai Royal Kings and Siechem Madurai Panthers will be a 28-day affair with the final on August 15.
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The TNCA secretary RS Ramasaamy said in a release on Wednesday (July 8): “The Tamil Nadu government formally approved holding the TNPL 2021 tournament on July 1 subject to no spectators and strict Covid protocols. After discussions with all the stakeholders, it was decided to start the 2021 edition of TNPL from July 19 to August 15.”
Ramasaamy added, “The teams are starting their practice on July 9 at Chepauk after extensive testing, quarantine, and following strict bubble rules. The BCCI Anti-corruption team will be in place for the tournament for education and monitoring.”
Notably, Tamil Nadu’s leading players like R Ashwin, M S Washington Sundar, R Sai Kishore, Varun Chakravarthy, and Sandeep Warrier are unlikely to feature in the TNPL this season, as they are busy with national commitments in England and Sri Lanka.
Dinesh Karthik is also in the UK on commentary duties and is also likely to miss the domestic T20 event in Chennai. However, India all-rounder Vijay Shankar is among the notable names who will be seen in action.
The matches will be broadcast by Star India on its various channels including Star Sports Tamil.
Here’s the complete schedule –
(With PTI/Sportstar Inputs)