The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) is all set to include outstation players for the upcoming TNPL draft, which will be held on June 23 despite an objection from BCCI.
TNCA in its defence has said the players who play in Tamil Nadu leagues should not be put in category of outstation players,
“BCCI only wants to know whether TNCA is following the body’s rules in conducting the tournament and fielding the players. TNCA will reply by Tuesday that the players have registered with its clubs and therefore come under its jurisdiction. Various lesser-known outstation players are being fielded in the Karnataka and Maharashtra T20 leagues. So there shouldn’t be any problem with TNCA. If big names play in state leagues, then what is the meaning of conducting IPL. Moreover, the TNPL is primarily aimed at giving a platform to local talents. Then how can they go and register outstation players,” an official told TOI.
Earlier, BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary in a letter to TNCA denied the state board to include any outstation players for the player draft. Though TNCA has put up a strong defence in reply to BCCI’s questioning the board.
A total of 88 players have been registered for the upcoming TNPL draft, with registration flowing till the last date. Out of 88, in case, if all goes well, only 24 players will get bidders, as according to the rules, a team can include a maximum of three outstation players on its roster with only two of them being allowed to be part of the playing XI. Players like Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Yuzvendra Chahal have registered for the TNPL draft.
However, it will be interesting to see whether players will still be keen to participate in TNPL or not.
Tamil Nadu team felicitated –
Tamil Nadu cricket team was felicitated in a function from the state association. The winners of Vijay Hazare Trophy and Deodhar Trophy led by Vijay Shankar was honoured by TNCA President N Srinivasan. Meanwhile, a new logo of the upcoming season of TNPL was also launched.
Srinivasan congratulated the team for winning two back to back domestic tournaments and said,
“It’s a combination of talent and excellent support staff, right from Hrishikesh Kanitkar to L Balaji, that led the team to perform to its potential and win two titles. We also reached the semifinals in the Ranji trophy. Let us savour the moment and congratulate the team.”