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Ready: Thrissur Titans hope to beat Alleppey Ripples in the tournament opener. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The cricket ecosystem in the state is set to get better with the inauguration of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) at the Sports Hub here on Monday.
The franchise-based T20 league sponsored by big business houses and film personalities is set to open new avenues and provide a platform to the budding cricketers of Kerala to showcase their talent to the world.
The declining presence of Kerala players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the last few years and the success of T20 leagues in neighbouring states have prompted the Kerala Cricket Association to start a new league in the state.
Six teams – Trivandrum Royals, Aries Kollam Sailors, Alleppey Ripples, Thrissur Titans, Kochi Blue Tigers and Calicut Globestars – will compete for top honours in Kerala’s cricket carnival. The prize money for the winner is ₹30 lakh while the runners-up will get ₹20 lakh. The third and fourth-placed teams will get ₹5 lakh each.
Inaugural Match
Alleppey Ripples, led by aggressive batsman Mohammed Azharuddeen, will take on Thrissur Titans, captained by Varun Nayanar, in the first match of the league.
As the captain and icon player of Ripals, Azharuddin will be eager to rediscover his rhythm in white-ball cricket. Varun, a former Under-19 India player, has been given the big responsibility of leading the team ahead of team icon Vishnu Vinod.
The league’s most expensive players MS Akhil and Mohammed Annan will be the centre of attraction when Trivandrum Royals take on Kochi Blue Tigers in the second match of the day.
The organisers have organised a small opening ceremony after the first match. Film stars Mohanlal and Keerthy Suresh are expected to attend the ceremony. But the game is likely to be disrupted due to bad weather as heavy rains lashed the city on Sunday. Fans are hopeful as more rains are forecast in the coming days.
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