The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association on Saturday confirmed the TNPL 2021 has been postponed indefinitely due to complications borne out of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With India experiencing the devastating effects of the second wave of the viral outbreak, various states across the country are opting for curfews and lockdowns. With Tamil Nadu being no different, it would’ve been a logistical nightmare for the TNPL organisers to go ahead with the scheduled itinerary.
Chief Executive Officer of TNPL Prasanna Kannan confirmed the tournament’s suspension, emphasising the health safety restrictions implemented in the state.
“There is a lockdown effect in Tamil Nadu now. So, once we have an idea in terms of when it is going to be relaxed, only then can we make a call. Since we do not have clarity on when the restrictions will be eased, we have postponed the tournament. We were supposed to start the tournament on June 4,”
Kannan was quoted as saying by Inside Sport.
However, he did mention that the TNCA and TNPL authorities will maintain a very close eye on the happenings in the state and keep monitoring the health situation. They will be discussing rescheduling TNPL 2021 at a reasonable time with the Tamil Nadu government.
“We are monitoring the situation. We will have a discussion with the government and then once we have a decision, we will announce the revised schedule,”
said Kannan.
The TNPL 2021 was due to begin on June 4, with the final scheduled for July 4 at Salem’s SCF Cricket Ground. Due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the city, Tamil Nadu’s marquee M.A. Chidambaram Stadium wasn’t picked to play host to any of the games.
After last year’s cancellation, the TNPL fans will be looking at the developments keenly and hope that TNCA manages to find a suitable new window for the tournament this summer.
