TNPL likely to begin after World Cup

There is a strong possibility of Coimbatore being introduced as a venue.

The TNPL final could be held at Chepauk if the relaid pitches are ready on time.

The Tamil Nadu Premier League is likely to get underway after the conclusion of the ICC ODI World Cup,

The final of the big event in England is on July 14 and the TNPL should start within a week of the summit clash at Lord’s.

Once again, the event will be aired on Star Sports. “The duration of TNPL will be three weeks. Natham and Tirunelveli are confirmed venues,” said TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan to Sportstar on Monday.

The final could be held at Chepauk if the relaid pitches are ready on time.

There is a strong possibility, according to sources, of Coimbatore being introduced as a TNPL venue. The ground is ready and, if the decision goes in its favour early June, then the temporary stands and the floodlights can be installed within a week.

The buzzing Coimbatore, given its infrastructure including quality hotels and love for the game, could turn out to be a popular venue, many believe. And having Coimbatore in the mix will be in keeping with TNPL’s motto of taking the event to more districts.

But wouldn’t TNPL suffer from a Word Cup viewer fatigue, being held so soon after the mega event. Prasanna replied, “I don’t think so. If you look at the World Cup, only the viewership for India matches is very high within India. And a few other matches, towards the end of the league, have high viewership only if they have a bearing on India’s progress.”

Details about player draft and retentions for the upcoming TNPL season will be known in the first week of June, said Prasanna.

And a request has been sent to the BCCI to allow outstation cricketers. At least those players who have retired from first class cricket can be allowed to play in TNPL, said a source.   

The fourth edition of TNPL will mostly include Coimbatore but outstation cricketers are a question mark.