Gateway for budding cricketers to show mettle, draw attention
LUCKNOW: Ever since the inception of cash-rich India Premier League in 2008, the event has become a gateway for the young cricketers to make it to the Team India, especially in the shortest format of the game. And following in the footsteps of it, almost every state association of the Board of Control for Cricket in India has started their own leagues on the lines of IPL.
The number has now risen to 16, including one of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association.
If the first edition of the UPT20 League in 2023 at Kanpur helped batters like Sameer Rizvi and Swastik Chikara bagged their maiden contracts, many few others like veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, stylish finisher Rinku Singh and pacer Kartik Tyagi too got their contracts renewed with different IPL franchise.
Rizvi was bought by Chennai Super Kings for Rs 8.40 crore whereas Chikara was inducted by Delhi Capitals for Rs 20 lakh.
But it was quite disappointing for young pacer Atal Bihari Rai, who even after doing wonders at the batters-friendly strip of the Green Park Stadium, couldn’t make it to the IPL due to injury. Just before taking his third and the final wicket for champions Kashi Rudras against Meerut Mavericks, Rai sustained injuries and remained out of action for a long time.
“I was very much on the radars of the IPL franchise, but injury marred my chances. But I haven’t lost my courage and will try to do much better than what I did last season at the new season of the UT20L,” said Rai as his team meet archrivals Meerut Mavericks in the opening encounter on Sunday, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here.
Rai, who finished as top bowlers with 25 wickets with 6/27 being his best in the maiden edition of the UPT20L, has done well in his three first class matches so far for Uttar Pradesh by taking four wickets.
“Most of the matches remained incomplete due to rain in my first domestic season, but I am hopeful of a better show this time,” said Rai on Friday.
Rai, who hails from Prayagraj, took 3/32 in four overs to help his side Kashi Rudras lift the glittering trophy, pushed everyone back in the list of top bowlers in the first season with big names like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal finishing with 14 and nine wickets, respectively.
“The UPT20L is the best opportunity for the state cricketers to showcase their talents and draw the attention of the different franchise. In terms of the league, we have the biggest event in the domestic circuit now and I believe that all the cricketers must use this opportunity for better progress in the game,” added Rai, who hails from Naini area in Prayagraj.
Former India cricketer and now head coach of the Kanpur Superstar, Gyanendra Pandey said that UPT20L gives an opportunity to state cricketers to attract everybody’s attention in the world. “One gets to draw the attention of everyone as the matches are being shown live on TV and other social network platforms. One can see the positive impact of the state league on cricketers like Rizvi, who was the biggest buy by the IPL side CSK last year,” he said.
Pandey, who also happens to be one of the most successful coaches of the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy team, also hoped for his side Kanpur Superstar doing well in the new season.
“We are a balanced side and ready to challenge all other sides in the fray. Boys are in good shape and raring to go,” he added.