The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), the premier franchise T20 tournament of the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India, gets underway on Friday, July 5 with a game between Lyca Kovai Kings and Chepauk Super Gillies in Salem.
This tournament is one of the premier tournaments across the country when it comes to exhibiting standards of the game, and one often sees players of high calibre coming out of it.
A lot of players who play in the Indian Premier League are also expected to turn up in this tournament, and as one would expect, it is bound to increase the standard and level of the competition by some margin.
In this listicle, we take a look at five IPL stars taking part in this tournament:
#1 Ravichandran Ashwin (Dindigul Dragons)
India legend Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the most well-known players taking part in the TNPL. The ace off-spinner is renowned for his humble stature and willingness to take part in his state's tournament whenever he is free to do so.
Ashwin is one of the finest bowlers in the world and has been given the responsibility of leading the Dindigul Dragons in this tournament.
The 37-year-old is known to guide youngsters well and will have the responsibility of also being a mentor-like figure for his franchise.
#2 R Sai Kishore (Tiruppur Tamizhans)
Gujarat Titans' left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore, who is one of the most highly rated cricketers in the reckoning for an India spot at the moment, will represent Tiruppur Tamizhans in the TNPL.
Although he missed the bus for India's tour to Zimbabwe recently, it has not bothered him too much; he vows to continue working on his skillset to get better.
As he mentioned in this exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Kishore is happy with where he is in life and is keen on doing well in the TNPL.
#3 Sai Sudharsan (Lyca Kovai Kings)
Tamil Nadu opener Sai Sudharsan, who is with the Indian team at the moment in Zimbabwe, will be a part of the Lyca Kovai Kings in the TNPL.
His brilliant performances at the top of the order for Gujarat Titans earned him the call-up for the Zimbabwe tour, and he will be expected to play in the TNPL after he returns.
Sudharsan has already played three ODIs for India against South Africa in December 2023 and also signed a contract with Surrey earlier this English summer, after having won the County Championship with them last year.
#4 Shahrukh Khan (Lyca Kovai Kings)
Ace batter Shahrukh Khan, who plays for Gujarat Titans in the IPL, will turn up for the Lyca Kovai Kings in the TNPL.
He is known to hit the ball a long way coming in lower down the order and finishing the innings for his team.
Khan will have to take up the mantle for the Kovai side in this tournament and hope to lift the title with them by guiding them with the bat in hand.
Having been entrusted with the responsibility of leading his team in this tournament will also give Shahrukh the chance to showcase his leadership skills.
#5 Varun Chakravarthy (Dindigul Dragons)
Varun Chakravarthy, who won the IPL earlier this year with the Kolkata Knight Riders, will play for Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL.
The leg-spinner is known for his variations and is someone whom batters do not like facing.
He is quite challenging to pick up off the wrist, and that is why he has enjoyed so much of success over the years.
Having played in six T20Is for India so far, Chakravarthy has an impressive average of 24 in T20 format and bowls at an economy of 7.32.
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