The fifth edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) is set to take place in July-August with the tentative dates for the tournament being July 19 to August 15. The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) official confirmed on Saturday (June 26).

The upcoming T20 domestic tournament will be a closed-door affair with Chennai being the hub of the 32-game tournament. The TNCA shortlisted Tirunelveli, Dindigul, Coimbatore and Salem as the venues for the TNPL matches, but it will be finalised basing on the advice of the state government.

The TNPL was cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 scare, but this year the TNCA decided to resume the T20 domestic competition after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allowed state associations to organise leagues on the conditions the dates don’t clash with the IPL 2021 and follow all the BCCI rules and COVID-19 protocols during the tournament.

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The TNPL official told Cricbuzz, “We are planning three phases for the league. We intend to start the league in Chennai because the COVID-19 cases are down in the city. Basing on the government's approval, the matches will be held in two other venues and we will come back to Chennai for the final.”

Noteworthy, Saurashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu associations had sought permission to start their tournaments, but the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) decided not to hold the tournament this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Maharashtra.

The eight teams are Chepauk Super Gillies, Lyca Kovai Kings, Dindigul Dragons, Trichy Warriors (formerly Ruby Kanchi Warriors), iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans (formerly Karaikudi Kaalai), Siechem Madurai Panthers (formerly Madurai Super Giant), Salem Spartans (formerly Tuti Patriots) and Nellai Royal Kings (formerly VB Thiruvallur Veerans).

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)