Tami Nadu Premier League | All eight franchises to have integrity officers

Though the Tamil Nadu Premier League may only be one year old, it’s quickly learning from its mistakes and improving on the same. The first edition of the tournament, last year, had a share of controversies with three teams reporting that they were approached by bookies to fix matches.

This time though, the league wants to ensure that such untoward instances are not repeated and has therefore appointed an integrity officer for each team. Although there were four anti-corruption officials in charge in various venues last year, TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan said they don't want to take any chances when it comes to security.

"Last time, we had people reporting such inappropriate approaches. Thus we have decided to have one Integrity Officer per team. They will travel with the team throughout the tournament for practice, promotional events, matches and stay at the same hotels. We don't want to be sorry after things happen. Rather we want to take preventive action," Prasanna said reported Cricbuzz.

Moreover, there will be a special programme for players and officials from all TNPL teams on anti-corruption guidelines on July 16. 

Further, although the TNPL is an IPL-style tournament, what makes it special is the fact that it’s the first state based T-20 competition in the country. Former Indian fast bowler, Lakshmipathy Balaji who is now the bowling coach of the Tamil Nadu team, said that the league has become a model for other states to follow suit after its success last year.

Moreover, the TNPL will also follow the IPL model for the knockout phase this time around. Instead of the usual semifinal-final, it will be a Qualifier 1, Eliminator and Qualifier 2 and then the final. Finally, as far as the purpose of the league is concerned, Balaji believes that it will provide youngsters valuable exposure of playing in high-pressure situations, which will hold them in good stead going forward.  

"Tamil Nadu makes it to semis and final, but they falter there. I feel the lack of exposure in playing big games always makes the team do mistakes. I think TNPL will give youngsters the exposure of playing intense matches at a young age in a packed atmosphere. Playing in a franchise based model will tune them to be competitive," Balaji concluded.