As we all know that Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) is going to start their first ever 20-over cricket tournament in their state, Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). On Thursday the trophy of the tournament was revealed and the sponsors were announced which comprises of Coca Cola, India Cements, Equitas and others. Television major Star India will be pouring sponsor.

India limited over skipper, Ms Dhoni unveiled the TNPL cup in an event organised in Chennai on Thursday. The main sponsor for the event is India Cements, along with Krishna Mines, Equitas Holdings and Atharva, a part of Valammal Educational Institution. Coca Cola is the pouring sponsor while Star Vijay, part of Media house Star India is the broadcasting partner.

TNCA's president, N Srinivasan said that the effort is to give a platform for the young talent in the state. The association also announced eight teams, owned by corporate groups who won the bid. The teams are owned by groups, including Take Solutions, a listed entity; Metronation Chennai Television, part of a major media group in the state; Lyca Productions; Kothari (Madras); Ruby Builders and Promoters; VB Academy and Chettinad Apparels.

All the franchises ended the bidding process with a total amount of Rs 33 crore, apparently the highest amount raised by a state cricket body; 17 entities participated.

TNCA will receive the franchisee fee from the owners in the period of 10 years. For example, Take Solutions will pay the amount of Rs 3.4 crore every year for next 10 years, apart from the promotional activities. Every company is expected to spend about Rs 7-8 crore related to the event this year, said Srinivasan H R, vice-chairman and managing director of Take Solutions.

The tournament will be comprised of 31 matches in total for the first year which will be played in the period of 20 days from August 24 to September 18 on three locations. The players were selected from a pool of around 900 players offered by TNCA. However, this year players from outside the said state will not be participating and from next year it is expecting the BCCI would allow it to have players from other states as well, said a senior official from TNPL.

The selected players are contracted for two years, said Sivanthi Adityan Balasubramanian, from Metronation Chennai Television, part of Daily Thanthi Group. The aim is to promote cricket and give more players from the State a space in the world of cricket, while brand building would be a benefit, he added.

TNPL is mounted on a larger scale than the Karnataka's state league, N Srinivasan, president of TNCA, had said.

This year would see 27 matches; the eight teams would be pooled into two groups of four each. Each team would get to play a minimum of six matches.

The winner will get the prize of Rs 1 crore for the winner while the runner-up will get Rs 60 and Rs 40 lakh for the losing semi-finalists and Rs 25 lakh for the remaining four teams, said Srinivasan. TNCA expects to generate the revenue of Rs 350 crore through TNPL over the next 10 years. This state league would enable the said state players to show their talent and also the opportunity to play with national and international players. Beside promoting cricket at the district level in a big way, said Srinivasan.

The matches are scheduled to be played in Chennai, Tirunelveli and Natham (near Dindigul).