I am happy that TNPL has produced cricketers to play in the Indian Premier League: N Srinivasan

Tamil Nadu team felicitated for winning Vijay Hazare and Deodhar trophies, new TNPL logo launched, TNPL Season 2 schedule announced at a glittering ceremony in Chennai on Monday. It was a splendid evening in every sense of the word. And Tamil Nadu cricket was the winner. Deodhar Trophy champions. Vijay Hazare Trophy champions. Ranji Trophy semifinalists. What’s more?

A brand new and trendier logo for the Twenty20 tournament which captured the imagination of fans not just in the state, but all over the country. All this and more was celebrated at a joyous ceremony held at Crowne Plaza, Chennai, on Monday (January 19, 2017).

The function began with PS Raman, Vice-President, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), delivering the welcome address. He lauded the state team for their achievements, “The Tamil Nadu state team has become the first team to win all the five major BCCI tournaments and that is a commendable achievement by us. The captains, Abhinav Mukund (Ranji Trophy) and Vijay Shankar (limited-overs tournaments), as well as the players deserve much credit, not to forget the tremendous energy, unity and spirit induced into the team by the head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar.”

N Srinivasan, TNCA Executive Committee member and former International Cricket Council Chairman, acknowledged the achievements of the Tamil Nadu team in his speech. He showered praise on Kanitkar and the bowling coach, Lakshmipathy Balaji.

As for the India Cements Ltd. TNPL, the second season of which will begin on July 22, he said, “Performance at the highest stage is very important for recognition and I am happy that TNPL has produced cricketers to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). There is a reasonably a good amount of jealousy about the success of the TNPL and hence we would need to work harder this year to produce the same success as last year. An outstanding element of the TNPL was that no one was from outside. Such restrictions were placed on us and that is the hallmark of Tamil Nadu cricket. We are not fazed by whatever happens. We walk around it and work around it.”

He added, “There is a resurgence in Tamil Nadu cricket and what better proof we want than the fact that one former cricketer from another state told Kasi (KS Viswanathan, former Honorary Secretary, TNCA) that the victories in the two (BCCi) tournaments was due to the TNPL. The TNPL helps in the training, the strength and mental make-up needed to win matches.”

Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the backbone of Tamil Nadu’s success this season, was thankful to the administration and credited the players. “The guys who didn’t make it to the playing XI, despite giving good performances are also to be lauded. For example, V Jagadeesan had to dropped after he scoring a Ranji century. It is never easy to perform and sit out, but still give your best.”

The function was attended by several former players who represented Tamil Nadu in Test and ODI cricket. Also present were several veterans who excelled at the state, district and club levels. All in all, it was a fascinating evening for Tamil Nadu’s cricketing fraternity.