In a serious breach of anti-corruption regulations, a player in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League has come under the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit scanner.

He was found to be in possession of a mobile phone in the restricted Players and Match Officials Area during his team’s match.

Players are prohibited from using any communication devices and have to deposit their gadgets with the team manager before entering the PMOAs.

Only the team manager is permitted to carry a mobile in the PMOA, and should use it only for cricket operations.

The incident occurred at the NPR College ground in Natham, Dindigul, earlier this week, where the TNPL has been happening since August 4.

The Anti-Corruption Unit has made a formal communication to the TNCA regarding the incident.

“Yes, we have received a letter about this incident. We have instructed the concerned team owners not to consider him for selection until the enquiry is over. We are investigating the matter and will take appropriate action,” said TNCA secretary U. Bhagawandas Rao in a statement.

Earlier this year in the IPL, Rajasthan Royals manager Romi Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and given a warning for using a phone in the dugout during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Managers are allowed to use mobiles only in the dressing room and not in the dugouts.

D. Deepesh, just 18, has created a buzz with pace for Madurai Panthers in the TNPL this season.

The 2026 u-19 World Cup winner has repeatedly crossed 140 kph, even touching 146 kph. But he’s also been varying his speed, having worked on that with mentor Sandeep Warrier during the two-week gap after the TNCA First Division League.

“I got a good idea. That’s been helpful. We didn’t just work on speed alone. We worked on slower ones and yorkers, and bowling according to the situation. Speed is my natural ability,” Deepesh said after his team’s third successive win, against SKM Salem Spartans, at the NPR College Ground here on Monday.

“Ever since I started playing in the u-19 circuit, we have spoken a lot and have been working closely. He has been very helpful to me.

“In fact, I would say he’s the only person I’ve always spoken to about my bowling. Even this morning, I spoke with him. We discuss my bowling plan before almost every match,” Deepesh, who finished with three for 38 after conceding 45 in three overs against Vida Kovai Kings, said.

The spell followed a tidy one for 25 in the opening match against Trichy Grand Cholas. The youngster acknowledged the support he received after the initial setback.

“Even after I got hit, the team didn’t let me down. They were very encouraging. The bowling coach (assistant coach A.C. Prathiban) backed me a lot. We spoke about it. Pressure got to me in that situation. So today [Monday], I focused on bowling without letting the pressure get to me,” he said.

And he delivered on the promise, taking three for 18 in his last two overs after going for 20 runs in his first two.

When Dindigul Dragons strolled out for the Tamil Nadu Premier League season-opener here on Tuesday, there was uncertainty over how the 2024 title-winner would cope with the absence of two masters of the spin-bowling craft.

R. Ashwin is in the dugout as a mentor and not on the field while Varun Chakaravarthy is yet to recover from a hamstring injury. But in an encouraging sign for its adaptive strategy, the Dindigul side watched debutant leggie Nirankar Sharma dish out a Player-of-the-Match performance of three for 21 against iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans.

Nirankar, who moved from Madhya Pradesh to Tamil Nadu to fuel his cricket dream, tightened the screws in the middle overs with his miserly spell.

“I was just so excited. It was an emotional moment for me because I had waited for it (making his maiden appearance at such a level) for years. I could not have asked for a better debut. The Dragons management, Ashwin bhaiya and Inder (B. Indrajith) anna have been supporting me a lot,” said Nirankar, the lone DD spinner in action on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old is enjoying the time of his professional life while learning the tricks of the trade from Ashwin. “I had dreamt of working with him. He has been superb with his mentorship. He is expecting a lot from me. Hopefully, I fulfil his expectations. I cannot ask for anything better with what is going on in my life,” he added.

After making a good first impression, Nirankar should strive for consistency.