The Tamil Nadu Premier League is slated to be back for its 7th edition when the first ball is bowled on June 12th. The domestic T20 league is among the most popular in India and attracts a sizeable number of fans from not just Tamil Nadu but across India.
The tournament’s recent success can be attributed to the availability of a talented pool of players in the state. It also owes a great deal of success to the constant changes that the league does to be ahead of the times. Rules changes that are needed to make the game more exciting are often made at breakneck speed in TNPL.
The TNPL 2023 also brings a few of these rule changes that are meant to make the league even more enticing to watch for fans and for the players themselves. Let’s look at the rule changes and other info related to TNPL 2023.
Impact Player Rule:
The upcoming edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) will witness the implementation of the Impact Player rule, following its success in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. This rule allows teams to designate one player from each side as an Impact Player before the start of the match. Essentially, the teams are now able to play with 12 players wherein only 11 players are allowed to field at one time. The Impact player can be called over to ball or bat as per their expertise whenever needed.
The Impact Player adds an exciting element to the tournament. The introduction of this rule aims to enhance the competitiveness and engagement of the TNPL, similar to its impact in the IPL.
DRS Rule:
Another significant change in the TNPL is the introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS). The DRS, commonly used in international cricket, allows teams to challenge the umpire’s decision using technology for a limited number of reviews. However, unlike the IPL, the DRS in the TNPL will not be available for wides and no-balls. The inclusion of the DRS will promote fair play and accurate decision-making in the tournament, ensuring a higher level of cricketing standards.
TNPL 2023 schedule:
The TNPL 2023 schedule has been announced to start from June 12 when Lyca Kovai Kings take on Tiruppur Tamizhans. The Qualifier 1 is scheduled to be held on July 7 in Salem, followed by the Eliminator on July 8, also in Salem. The Qualifier 2 will take place in Tirunelveli on July 10, and the final is slated for July 12, also in Tirunelveli. The fixed dates allow fans to plan and anticipate exciting playoff matches.
Here’s TNPL 2023 Full schedule:
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| Jun 12 | Lyca Kovai Kings vs Tiruppur Tamizhans, 1st Match | SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 13 | Salem Spartans vs Chepauk Super Gillies, 2nd Match | SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 14 | Siechem Madurai Panthers vs Nellai Royal Kings, 3rd Match | SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore | 3:00 PM |
| Jun 14 | Dindigul Dragons vs Ba11sy Trichy, 4th Match | SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 15 | Chepauk Super Gillies vs Tiruppur Tamizhans, 5th Match | SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 16 | Lyca Kovai Kings vs Nellai Royal Kings, 6th Match | SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 18 | Salem Spartans vs Ba11sy Trichy, 7th Match | NPR College Ground, Dindigul | 3:00 PM |
| Jun 18 | Dindigul Dragons vs Siechem Madurai Panthers, 8th Match | NPR College Ground, Dindigul | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 19 | Lyca Kovai Kings vs Chepauk Super Gillies, 9th Match | NPR College Ground, Dindigul | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 20 | Nellai Royal Kings vs Tiruppur Tamizhans, 10th Match | NPR College Ground, Dindigul | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 21 | Chepauk Super Gillies vs Dindigul Dragons, 11th Match | NPR College Ground, Dindigul | 3:00 PM |
| Jun 21 | Ba11sy Trichy vs Lyca Kovai Kings, 12th Match | NPR College Ground, Dindigul | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 22 | Nellai Royal Kings vs Salem Spartans, 13th Match | NPR College Ground, Dindigul | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 28 | Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Dindigul Dragons, 20th Match | SCF Cricket Ground, Salem | 7:00 PM |
| Jun 29 | Siechem Madurai Panthers vs Ba11sy Trichy, 21st Match | SCF Cricket Ground, Salem | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 01 | Tiruppur Tamizhans vs Salem Spartans, 22nd Match | Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli | 3:00 PM |
| Jul 01 | Nellai Royal Kings vs Dindigul Dragons, 23rd Match | Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 02 | Siechem Madurai Panthers vs Lyca Kovai Kings, 24th Match | Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli | 3:00 PM |
| Jul 02 | Ba11sy Trichy vs Chepauk Super Gillies, 25th Match | Indian Cement Company Ground | 3:00 PM |
| Jul 03 | Dindigul Dragons vs Salem Spartans, 26th Match | Indian Cement Company Ground | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 04 | Siechem Madurai Panthers vs Tiruppur Tamizhans, 27th Match | India Cements Company Ground | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 05 | Trichy vs Nellai Royal Kings, 28th Match | India Cements Company Ground | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 07 | TBC vs TBC, Qualifier 1 | SCF Cricket Ground | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 08 | TBC vs TBC, EliminatorS | SCF Cricket Ground | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 10 | TBC vs TBC, Qualifier 2 | India Cement Company Ground | 7:00 PM |
| Jul 12 | TBC vs TBC, Final | Indian Cement Company Ground | 7:00 PM |
Reserve Day:
To prevent a recurrence of the washout situation that led to joint-winners in the previous edition, the TNCA has announced the inclusion of reserve days for all playoff matches, including the final, in the upcoming edition. This addition ensures that in case of adverse weather conditions affecting the scheduled matches, there will be an opportunity to complete the games on the reserve day. The inclusion of reserve days adds a level of certainty to the playoffs, providing a fair chance for teams to compete for the championship title.
Pondering Women’s TNPL:
In addition to these changes, the TNCA is considering introducing a women’s competition, similar to the Women’s Premier League (WPL). This development aims to provide a platform for women cricketers in Tamil Nadu and further promote the growth of women’s cricket in the region. While the official confirmation is expected in 2024, the initiative highlights the TNCA’s commitment to fostering gender equality and inclusivity in cricket.
Furthermore, the emerging local talents in Tamil Nadu have caught the attention of IPL franchises. Players like M. Shahrukh Khan, the captain of Kovai Kings, have received interest from IPL teams. The presence of talent scouts and team managers actively seeking promising players demonstrates the recognition and opportunities available for young cricketers in the TNPL to make a mark and potentially secure a spot in the prestigious IPL.
Overall, the TNPL 2023 brings exciting changes, including the Impact Player rule, the implementation of the DRS, and the introduction of reserve days for playoff matches. These modifications aim to elevate the competitiveness and overall experience of the tournament, while potential developments such as a women’s competition further underline the commitment to cricket development in Tamil Nadu.
