After receiving written approval from the state government, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association is set to restart its annual T20 tournament after a one-year hiatus on July 19, reported Cricbuzz.
TNCA is expected to make an official announcement in this context on Friday. The state association has put in place stringent COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for the smooth conduct of the TNPL, which was cancelled last year and had to be postponed from its traditional window even this season.
The association has made it mandatory for everyone involved to go through five negative RT-PCR tests and five-day quarantine before being allowed to get on with the tournament, a TNCA official told Cricbuzz.
To specify, players, officials and support staff will enter the quarantine on July 4, before which they must show two negative COVID-19 tests and give three further negative tests during the five-day isolation period. If they are proven unaffected by the virus, players will be allowed to train for the season from July 9 or 10.
To further avoid the viral spread, no spectators and media personnel will be allowed to enter the stadiums during the matches. Anti-corruption officials from the BCCI will be monitoring the TNPL 2021 fixtures, which is in accordance with the conditions set by the Indian board after permitting state associations to go ahead with their respective T20 leagues provided they don’t clash with the Indian Premier League.
The TNPL features eight teams – Chepauk Super Gillies, Lyca Kovai Kings, Dindigul Dragons, Trichy Warriors, iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Siechem Madurai Panthers, Salem Spartans, Nellai Royal Kings – playing each other once before moving into the playoffs. 2019 winners SPG are the defending champions of the competition.
