The seventh edition of the highly anticipated Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) is all set to commence at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground, with joint-defending champions Lyca Kovai Kings and Chepauk Super Gillies taking on iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in the opening match on Monday.
Since its inception in 2016, the franchise-based T20 tournament has witnessed remarkable growth and has played a pivotal role in establishing Tamil Nadu as a powerhouse in white-ball cricket. The tournament has not only provided a platform for local talent to shine but has also been a stepping stone for players to progress to higher levels, securing lucrative contracts in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Notable names such as T. Natarajan, Varun Chakravarthy, and M. Shahrukh Khan have all benefited from their impressive performances in the TNPL.
The recent sensation, B. Sai Sudharsan, who played a sensational knock of 96 in the IPL final for the Gujarat Titans against the Chennai Super Kings, initially caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts with his outstanding performances in the 2021 edition of the TNPL.
Excitement is palpable as the new season approaches, with significant changes introduced to propel the tournament into its next phase of growth. Earlier this year, the league decided to move away from the draft system used in the first six years and conducted its first-ever player auction. Each team had a budget of Rs 70 lakh, and Sai Sudharsan emerged as the highest bid when Lyca Kovai Kings secured his services for a whopping Rs 21.60 lakhs, surpassing his IPL salary of Rs 20 lakhs with the Titans.
In addition to the auction, this year’s TNPL will also witness the implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS), albeit only for dismissals, following the footsteps of the IPL. The introduction of the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player at the halfway mark of the innings, is another exciting change that fans can look forward to.
