The 2015-16 season of the first division championship of the TNCA league for the Rajah of Palayampatti Trophy will start on Wednesday with defending champion Vijay CC taking on India Pistons.
Last month, Vijay CC defeated Jolly Rovers CC in the final to end the latter’s hold on the trophy after two seasons. The defending champion has left its two outstation-player spots open which can be filled even before the start of the second stage. Rovers will face off against IOB Staff Club in its opening the game.
In the first stage, the twelve teams are drawn in two zones of six teams each and will play five matches. The top three from the two zones will then proceed to play against each other in the Elite stage in a round-robin format, before the top four advance to the semifinals. The bottom six will play in the Plate group.
The two new teams that secured promotion to the top flight, Nelson SC and ICF, will take on Globe Trotters CC and Grand Slam CC in their respective opening encounters.
Left-arm spinner D.T. Chandrasekar, the top wicket-taker last season has moved from Jolly Rovers CC to Alwarpet CC along with Maharashtra batsman Ankit Bawne. Rovers have signed up left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra of Delhi from Alwarpet CC along with Jayant Yadav as its two outstation players.
