India batsman Murali Vijay who has represented Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is likely to miss out on the upcoming Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) which is slated to begin from July 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The right-hand opening batsman who is a part of Trichy Warriors, is yet to enter the bio-bubble of the team. While all the players joined this bubble on July 4 and have already begun training for the tournament from July 9.

“Once he enters the bio-bubble he will need to quarantine for a period of 5 days before he can join the rest of the team for training,” Shyam Kangayan, CEO and executive director of Trichy Warriors told TOI on Sunday.

The Trichy Warriors will be starting their 2021 campaign of TNPL against Nellai Royal Kings on July 21.

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The TNCA officials, on the other hand, are still hopeful that Vijay can join the team in the later part of the tournament as he might be reluctant to stay in a bio-bubble for over a month owing to his young family.

“He has a young family and may be reluctant to stay in a bio-bubble for over a month --- the entire duration of the tournament. It is likely that he may join the team at a later date,” a TNCA official said.

The 37-year-old Chennai-based batsman who had chosen to skip the previous domestic season for Tamil Nadu due to some personal reasons last played competitive cricket for MS Dhoni led CSK in last year’s IPL in UAE.

As far as the TNPL is concerned, the last year’s edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year, a full season will be hosted by only one ground the MA Chidambaram Stadium and will not have any spectators.

(With TOI Inputs)