Credit to TNPL for state players getting IPL contracts: Sathish

Tamil Nadu’s Washington Sundar, Vijay Shankar and Murugan Ashwin were snapped up for more than Rs 2 crore each in the recently-concluded IPL auction. 

“TNPL has served as an amazing platform for budding players to showcase their talents. It is only because of these leagues, we are able to catch such players on our television screens. One of the biggest positives to have emerged has been the amount of interest that the other IPL franchises have had on these players,” said Sathish, who was the chief guest for the presentation ceremony of the TNCA Under-16 City Schools tournament on Thursday. 

The 37-year-old also felt the CSK has put up a balanced squad on paper for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. “It has got a very experienced side. It is coming back after two years and it is going to be exciting to watch it play again. The franchise has retained its core while the others will take some time to gel with the rest of the squad,” he said. Many players in the CSK squad are in their thirties. But the former Kings XI Punjab man seems optimistic about the prospect of roping in experienced players paying dividends. 

“They have been title-winners in international tournaments. This is a side which is rich in experience,” he added. Asked if the presence of senior members will take a toll on the quality of CSK’s fielding, the all-rounder said, “I feel it is a misconception that the fielding standards of players will go down with age. Not all players, who are now part of the Under-19 teams, are on the same level of Jonty Rhodes.”