Mysore: After a hiatus of four long years, the third season of the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) is all set to kick off at the Gangothri Glades Stadium at Mysore today.
The league which was launched in the year 2009 by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in order to promote local talent, although a success in its two initial seasons soon ran into controversy when two of the stalwarts of Indian Cricket as well as distinguished members of the KSCA, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath vehemently opposed it. Following this, the league was scrapped.
However, now the KPL has got a new lease of life. Now rebranded as the Karbonn KPL, the league will air on Sony Six, as opposed to the earlier Mantri KPL which aired on Udaya News. The league will be hosted at locations across three cities – Bangalore, Hubli and Mysore, from August 28th to September 12th.
The teams too have seen some shuffling up, with both the Bangalore teams now defunct. The Davanagere Diamonds and Malnad Gladiators too find no place in this years’ KPL. The Mysore team has been rebranded as Mysore Warriors from the earlier Mysore Maharajas.
Thus, the six teams competing this year include – Mangalore United, Mysore Warriors, Hubli Tigers, Bellary Tuskers, Bijapur Bulls and Belagavi Panthers. In addition to this, a seventh team comprising of players from the highly successful CCL (Celebrity Cricket League) called the Rockstars, headed by Sandalwood Star Kiccha Sudeep will be joining the KPL. This is expected to increase the excitement and enthusiasm of the fans.
This tournament is being revived as a tribute to the Late SrikantadattaNarasimharajaWadiyar, who had won the KSCA elections last year, and died shortly thereafter. Wadiyar was a great inspiration and supporter of the KPL. Ace Indian Batsman GR Vishwanath, on the lines of the unveiling of the trophy for this years’ KPL said that it has been a collective effort and all the teams have shown great eagerness and enthusiasm with regard to the tournament being revived. The tickets for the first two matches are already sold out.
The opening ceremony will be held at the Golden Glades ground at Mysore at 4pm, followed by the first match between Mangalore United and Rockstars at 5pm. The matches will be viewable LIVE on Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD.
It can be recalled that Provident Bangalore (Bangalore Rural) won the inaugural edition of KPL whereas the second season was won by Mangalore United promoted by the Fiza Group.
