KPL set for second season

The second season of the Karnataka Premier League is set to get underway from September 18 and the stand-out feature this year is the expansion of the tournament to other centres in the state such as Manipal and Hubli. The Twenty20 tournament, which ends on October 3, will feature the same eight franchises as last year, following a round-robin format with the top two teams qualifying for the semi-finals.

Bangalore got a generous share of the matches last year, with Mysore hosting a few games. Going by the enthusiastic response generated in Mysore, the organisers have capitalised on it by granting the semi-finals and the final to the city. The host association, the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), has decided to spread the tournament evenly between all four venues. The tournament kicks off at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, which will host the first four days. The players then go to Hubli for the next leg before heading to the university town of Manipal, near the coastal city of Mangalore. Mysore will host the final leg.

Karnataka was the first state to introduce a local franchise-based Twenty20 tournament, taking a cue from the hugely successful IPL after its second season. There will be a player-transfer window for the tournament between August 15 and 30, during which time the franchises will have to finalise their squads - a minimum of 14 players and a maximum of 22. Those who've signed two-year contracts are also eligible to be transferred, provided the concerned franchises and players come to an agreement.

Brijesh Patel, the secretary of the KSCA, said he was excited by the opportunities on offer for players from smaller centres but was also aware of the challenges from the organisers' point of view.

"The KPL has opened doors for players from mofussil areas and for coaches as well. The boys are getting more confident in playing in front of big crowds," Patel said at a press conference in Bangalore. "We know there will be logistical issues, such as erecting temporary structures and transporting players. We're trying to get the cricketing facilities on par with that of Bangalore." Patel added the KSCA is constructing a stadium in Hubli, which could be upgraded to first-class status if it passes the test during this tournament. Bangalore will host the only four day-night games.

The lesser-known players have the most to gain from the KPL and Patel said it would serve as a feeder-system for the IPL auctions and for selection into the state team. Although he was satisfied with the enthusiasm shown by the players in the opening season, he felt some needed to train harder.

"I thought the quality of cricket in the first season was good. However, the physical fitness needs to improve," Patel said. "Some of them couldn't get past those 15 days, often suffering from cramps."

There was talk after the first season to get players from outside Karnataka to participate but the BCCI rejected the proposal. Patel, however, didn't understand why it should be an issue. "The BCCI did not approve it. If the host association (KSCA) has no issue, then what's the problem?"

The tournament, however, could miss star state players like Abhimanyu Mithun, Vinay Kumar and Manish Pandey, who will be away in South Africa representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Champions League, between September 10 and 26. They could be available only for the final leg of the KPL or earlier, depending on their progress in South Africa. Bangalore Provident (Rural) are the defending champions after beating Belagavi Panthers under lights in Bangalore last year.