MUMBAI: The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) returns to the shores of the east coast following a two-year hiatus for its fifth season that gets underway from July 19th to August 15th with LIVE action on Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 2 and Disney+ Hotstar VIP.
It bears noting that Star Sports has been the host broadcaster for TNPL since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2016.
Eight teams – Chepauk Super Gillies, Dindigul Dragons, LYCA Kovai Kings, Salem Spartans, Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Ruby Trichy Warriors, Nellai Royal Kings, and Siechem Madurai Panthers – will be vying for top honours. The tournament, comprising of 32 matches, will be held only at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk and will kickstart with Lyca Kovai Kings squaring off with Salem Spartans at 7.30 pm.
The commentary panel for the fifth season of TNPL will consist of familiar names such as Pradeep Muthu, Abhinav Mukund, L Balaji, S Ramesh, Naanee (KV Sathyanarayanan), Suhail Chandok, Padamjit Sehrawat and Nikhil Chopra.
As the new season of the Indian Premier League-templated state league begins, big names like Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar are scheduled to miss it due to national commitments. However, fans will be hoping for the return of Sandeep Warrier, spinner Varun Chakravarthy and left-arm spinner Sai Kishore – once they have completed their national duty. Meanwhile, the league will boast the presence of names like India all-rounder Vijay Shankar, IPL’s batting & bowling regulars Shahrukh Khan & Murugan Ashwin and N Jagadeesan, who has represented the state at the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
The recently concluded TNPL Draft saw 40 players being picked for the eight franchises. The TNPL has consistently been known for providing the IPL and Team India with fresh talent, and this season could be no different. Among the others to watch out for include, Chepauk Super Gillies’ G Periyaswamy, who, with a Malinga-like sling arm bowling action, was the find of last season. Dindigul Dragons’ left-arm orthodox spinner M Silambarasan is also another player to keep a close watch on. After playing for different teams in the last four seasons, the Baba twins (Aparajith & Indrajith) finally reunite in TNPL and will be donning the Nellai Royal Kings jersey.
The spotlight, however, will be on defending champions Chepauk Super Gillies (CSG) and skipper Kaushik Gandhi, who will play the entire tournament on their home ground. Additionally, fans will also focus on CSG’s coach Hemang Badani, who eyes his third TNPL title. S Badrinath will be yet another coach who will turn heads, as he aims to end Dindigul Dragons’ title drought in the tournament.
Monday, July 19th will also mark the return of two rechristened teams, Salem Spartans and iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, while the Nellai Royal Kings replace the VB Kanchi Veerans.
TNPL, which returns for a fifth season, will be broadcast on Star Sports 1 Tamil and Star Sports 2 SD & HD and Disney+ Hotstar VIP from 19th July running through to 15th August.
