All eyes on Vijay CC

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Action returns after a short break of 25 days in the TNCA first division league for the Palayampatti Shield. Defending champions Vijay CC with their star cast look the best unit on paper and will be hard to beat. The regular contenders — Jolly Rovers and Globe Trotters will fancy their chances as well.

The last two seasons saw Young Stars put a good fight along with India Pistons, however the two units have lacked the final push to be considered genuine title contenders.

The race for the top four should be healthier this time as the two newly promoted sides, TI Cycles and Alwarpet CC (backed by Chemplast Sanmar) have fielded relatively competitive sides.

Even the top teams did not push for many outright wins last season and it had a lot to do with the nature of wickets provided.

The IC-Gurunanak is going through a complete makeover and if the curators can prepare a sporting wicket it would definitely help in promoting better cricket.

IIT and MRF-Pach did keep the bowlers interested but in a long drawn season the bowlers, especially medium pacers, can easily be worn out before the first-class season starts.

The batsmen have also been lulled in with a false sense of security and runs scored in the second innings only inflates averages and records rather than presenting the true picture.

The professional set up and player facilities in the league are second to none in the country but the primary objective is lost when matches are played in docile tracks or underprepared wickets.

In terms of title hopes it is difficult to look beyond Vijay CC, Rovers and Trotters. Grand Slam, IP and Young Stars have some fine individual talents at their disposal.

How they combine as a team will be interesting to see. Nothing has changed in the last four weeks but as always a new season ushers fresh hope.

Transfers

Player From To
Dinesh Karthik Vijay CC Grand Slam CC
K. Vijay Shankar Vijay CC Grand Slam CC
RD Ashwin Young Stars CC Globe Trotters
Martin Sanjeev India Pistons Young Stars CC
S. Anand Globe Trotters Jolly Rovers
R. Suthesh Young Stars CC Jolly Rovers
Aushik Srinivas Falcon CC Vijay CC
K. Sriram Falcon Alwarpet CC
D. Tamil Kumaran Aruna CC Young Stars
Shijit Chandran Aruna CC Alwarpet CC
Tinu Youhanan Jolly Rovers Alwarpet CC
P. Sakthi Aruna CC Alwarpet CC
P. Parameswaran IOB Jolly Rovers
Kiran Kashyap Vijay CC TI Cycles
V. Yo Mahesh Grand Slam CC Vijay CC