Maran releases stamp to mark TNCA Platinum jubilee fete

Chennai, Jan 26 (UNI) Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran 'kicked off' the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) by releasing a commemorative stamp at a colourful function in the premises of the M A Chidambaram stadium here this morning.

Team India captain Rahul Dravid, received the stamp from Mr Maran, at a colourful function attended by the Indian team which is here to play the third ODI against West Indies tomorrow.

The other members of the team, Coach Greg Chappel and the support staff, former India captain Md Azharuddin, former India leg spinner B S Chandrasekhar, some former players and members of the current Tamil Nadu Ranji trophy cricket team members attended the function.

Mr Maran also released the first copy of a book on state cricket titled ''The Romace of Tamil Nadu Cricket'', written by former Tamil Nadu cricketer, off-spinner V Ramnarayan, who had already authored one book on this subject. He also recalled several exciting Test matches and ODI's which he had witnessed on the famous Chepauk ground here.

Speaking on the occasion, Rahul Dravid payed glowing tributes to the standard of cricket in Chennai, where he himself had represented the India Pistons team in the senior division league for sometime.

Dravid observed that Tamil Nadu had produced some ''great cricketers'' for India and the high standard of the game in this part of the country was common knowledge.

UNI