N Srinivasan: TNPL’s best is yet to come

With the inaugural edition of the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2016 underway, it has managed to generate tremendous hit among the crowd of Tamil Nadu, as the stadiums are more or less full, while along with quality cricket, and big hitting, the bright light and colorful management of the event has helped the tournament get off to a brilliant start. According to the official broadcaster Star Sports, the TNPL has managed to generate a wide viewing of 44 million viewers across the nation, while 10 million of them are from Tamil Nadu itself, while the tournament has turned out to be a real competitive one. TNPL 2016: CSG thrash VTV by 41 runs

Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) president, and former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief N Srinivasan on Monday said to The Hindu, “Star has told us they are happy. If our broadcaster is happy, we are happy. The TNPL has delivered beyond our expectations. The best is yet to come. I must say the broadcaster has done a fabulous job in presenting the tournament. The commentators have been excellent and we couldn’t have asked for more. The quality of cricket has been decent.”

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“We have consistently got crowds of around eight thousand at Chepauk, even on rainy days. The spectators have thronged the venues at Natham and Tirunelveli. You don’t normally get these many spectators even in a Board Twenty20 tournament like the Syed Mushtaq Ali competition or even in a Test. So something is working here,” he added. SC verdict: End of road for Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, Niranjan Shah

Srinivasan also said, “We did not have much time on hand but we had lights installed in Natham and Tirunelveli. The spectators in those parts of the State had not seen a live match under lights before. So they were immediately attracted. The facilities at the grounds have been very good. The TNCA is well known for its organisational ability.”

Srinivasan was indeed pleased with the performance and outcome of the tournament so far, as he thanked the franchises and supporters for the initial success. “From the franchises, the broadcaster and the sponsors, the TNCA has got around Rs. 46 crore this year. The money will be put to good use,” he said. He also added that the region of Coimbatore and a stadium in Salem-Erode region will be a part of TNPL venue in the next edition in 2017. “The Chennai Super Kings has created a groundswell of support for cricket in the districts which is reflected in the TNPL,” said Srinivasan.

However, he was disappointed that the TNCA league players with proper ration card, were not allowed to participate in the league, as they were born outside the state, he was also hopeful that he would come up with a solution, as he would try and work things out with the BCCI. He also praised the Indian national players to have joined the league, whenever possible. He also said that the dates of the tournament were kept flexible owing to the interest of the broadcaster.