Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025

The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) is a franchise-based T20 competition that is played annually in Tamil Nadu. The tournament is organized by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). 

A total of eight city-based teams participate in the TNPL. The inaugural season of the tournament was played in 2016. The competition is usually played in July-August. Chepauk Super Gillies are the most successful team in the tournament with four titles.

TNPL History:

The root of the TNPL's origin lies in the suspension of Chennai-based IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. After the franchise was suspended for two years in 2015, the TNCA decided to introduce a T20 league in the state and competition was aimed to make up for the absence of major T20 matches in the state that year. As per TNCA, the main objectives of the TNPL are:

• To develop Tamil Nadu players to play competitive T20 matches.
• To provide a platform for Tamil Nadu players to exhibit their talent.
• To have sustainable model for developing infrastructure in districts.
• To bring in new audiences to the grounds.

The inaugural edition of the competition was held in 2016 with eight teams as participants. For the first season, the format of the tournament was league stage followed by the semifinals and final.

In the league stage, each team played against the other seven teams once before the top four teams made it to the semifinals. However, the semifinals were replaced by playoffs from the second season. Tuti Patriots beat Chepauk Super Gillies to become the first-ever TNPL champions.

TNPL Teams:

Eight teams are currently participating in the league. The eight teams represent eight cities of Tamil Nadu. According to the existing rules, a team can have a maximum of 20 players including two outstation players.

TNPL Venues:

For the first four seasons of the tournament, the games were played across three venues. The league games were played at the Indian Cement Company Ground in Tirunelveli and NPR College Ground at Dindigul while the playoffs were played at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Two new venues -  Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium and SNR College Cricket Ground - also started hosting matches from 2020 season.

• A. Chidambaram Stadium 
• Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium
• SNR College Cricket Ground 
• NPR College Ground 
• Indian Cement Company Ground

TNPL Season-wise results:

Tuti Patriots won the inaugural season in 2016 by beating Chepauk Super Gillies. In the following season, Chepauk Super Gillies won their maiden TNPL title and went on to win the trophy in 2019, 2021 and 2022 as well. Siechem Madurai Panthers won the tournament in 2018. 

The 2020 season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, Chepauk Super Gillies and Lyca Kovai Kings were the joint winners. Lyca Kovai Kings won the tournament in 2023 as well before Dindigul Dragons won the 2024 edition.