By Denzil Fernandes
Aug 7, 2009
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has hit the panic button and has started a unique “Operation KPL” with the sole purpose of lifting the sagging standards of the game in the State. The Karnataka Premier League (KPL) is a brick to brick copy of the much famous international Indian Premier League (IPL) that was launched and organised with smashing success by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The KPL has been welcomed by many of the State cricketers while a few of them have also expressed their reservations. Will the KPL be a success or a total flop is the big question?
In more ways than one, the young cricketers of Karnataka will get a shot in their arm with the KPL. All those who struggle and strain to get recognition from the selectors have every opportunity to show their skills in a competitive tournament. The KPL will have eight zonal teams playing in a league format from where the top four teams will get into a semi final stage and then on to a place in the final. In all there will be 31 matches played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium from September 12 to 27 in Bangalore. Some of the matches may also be played in Mysore it has been revealed. Total prize money offered is Rs.20 lacs for the entire tourney.
Owners of the franchisee teams will be determined to pick the best players from Karnataka while at least there will be 3 players from the home zone getting a chance to be in the team. While the competition is guaranteed one is not sure how high the standard of the matches will be with so many unknown faces in the team. The only consolation is that from the 8 teams one is bound to find players who may eventually turn out for the State team. There is hope for both the cricketers and the State officials with the introduction of KPL.
The KSCA has finalized the eight franchisee team at a bidding which was held in Bangalore. The Mangalore team went to Fiza Developers owned by politician Moideen Bava for Rs 4.23 crores while the Bangalore city team went to Brigade Company for Rs 7.2 crores. The Mysore team was bought by Kupendra Reddy Series Auto Company for Rs 3.25 crores and the Hubli-Dharwad team went to Shamanoor Shiva Shankarappa and Jagannnath for Rs 3.77 crores. The Shimoga team went to Jayaprakash Hedge for Rs 1.75 crores whereas Bangalore rural team went to Melmart Company for Rs 5.55 crores. The Gulbarga team was secured by Vivid Creations for 3.56 crores and Belgaum team by Subash Publishers and Sangeeth Electronics Company for Rs 3.81 crores. The auction of the Raichur and Bellary teams was cancelled by the Karnataka State Cricket Academy. Interestingly, film star-turned-politician Ambarish and Mutthappa Rai, leader of ‘Jaya Karnataka’, also participated in the auction but failed in the bidding. The players will be selected for the various teams at another bidding which will take place now.
Without doubt, Karnataka selectors will be able to see some raw and promising talent in the KPL. Having witnessed the nail biting matches in the IPL the cricketers will know what is expected of them in these matches. One is not sure if the crowds will flock to the stadium but if the matches show promise the efforts of the KSCA will bear fruit.
At the moment, the Karnataka team has fallen on bad days. Despite some big names in their line up in the past, the current state team is a sad shadow of the earlier times. Stalwarts like Prasanna, Chandrasekhar, Vishwanath, Kirmani, Binny, Srinath, Prasad, Kumble, Dravid have served Karnataka and India well in the past. But at the moment, there is no single player who can walk into the Indian team unchallenged. Hence, there is a dire need to get top notch performers who can help Karnataka cricket regain its past glory.
With falling fortunes, the KSCA has indeed come up with a masterstroke and very soon the fruits will be seen as the thrilling KPL unfolds.