The second edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) is likely to be conducted from the final week of July till the last stretch of August.
Sportstar has learnt from reliable sources that the T20 competition will last 30 days this year; The TNPL was held over 27 days in its inaugural edition.
TNPL office-bearers, over the past few days, have been in intense discussions with broadcaster Star India over the scheduling of the event.
Last year, the TNPL was held in the months of August and September but Star India, apparently, does not want TNPL to clash with the India games, particularly those telecast by it. The two sides strove to find an ideal window for the tournament.
India is likely to tour Sri Lanka in August, however, since Test matches are expected to be the major component of that campaign, the match timings would be different from those for the TNPL matches.
If India tours at that point in time, then the State could be without its marquee players R. Ashwin and M. Vijay, who are certain to be picked if fit, and possibly Abhinav Mukund or Dinesh Karthik.
And Star India is keen to have Ashwin and Vijay promoting TNPL games even if they play only a handful of matches.
The source said, “This is not always possible, particularly if the Indian team is touring. There is nothing explicit to that effect in the agreement either.”
This year could also see some new venues added to the tournament. Among those in contention is the IC-Guru Nanak ground here but the source said nothing had been finalised yet.
The player draft for those cricketers released by their respective franchises will be held in the first half of June.
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