Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik said on Wednesday that the auction prices for the youngsters were gifts for their skills
MCA president Ajinkya Naik (centre), secretary Abhay Hadap (left) and T20 Mumbai League chairman Vihang Sarnaik during the post-auction press conference. Pics/Ashish Raje
Dhawal Kulkarni, the former Mumbai medium-pacer, who is in the coaching staff of Eagle Thane Strikers, was looking to strengthen his side with quicks and looked pleased with the players he got in Wednesday’s T20 Mumbai League Season 3 auction.
He seemed quite happy, what with icon player Shardul Thakur in his squad and having the top two costliest buys of the day, all-rounder Atharva Ankolekar (Rs 16.25 lakh) and medium-pacer-cum-batsman Sairaj Patil (Rs 15 lakh).
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Eagle Thane Strikers’s mentor Dhawal Kulkarni during the auction at a city hotel yesterday
While for some of the players, who featured in the IPL that concludes on May 25, the T20 Mumbai League will be an extension for another two weeks, it will be a new experience for most of the youngsters, who will feature in a franchise-based league for the first time. The T20 Mumbai will follow exactly the same rules that are followed by the IPL.
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik said on Wednesday that the auction prices for the youngsters were gifts for their skills.
“Just like how the seniors have performed for MCA, these youngsters will pursue similar dreams. Ayush [Mhatre], Angkrish [Raghuvanshi] have reached this stage after performing in numerous age-group competitions. These youngsters also have to make it. Without performance, there is no place in the team. And if you are in the team, you have to perform. The auction price is secondary, their performance is primary. So, given the way players like Angkrish and Ayush have performed at the IPL, whatever price they are getting here, is like a gift for them,” said Naik.
Another incentive for youngsters is that MCA would be inviting IPL franchise scouts to watch the league and identify talented players for the premier cash-rich league. “In the last two seasons [2018 and 2019], I have seen a lot of talent scouts present. Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav, Shashank Singh were part of our league, and were picked by different IPL teams. So, we will make sure we invite them [talent scouts],” added Naik.
Vihang Sarnaik, chairman of the T20 Mumbai League Governing Council, seconded Naik. “The intention is to get fresh talent and new players to emerge from this league. This tournament is just a platform. At the end of the day, the players have to perform and there is a lot of motivation for them to do so. Those who get big bids at this auction have a lot of responsibility too as they are going to carry their team forward. This is so important, particularly for our
emerging players.”
Top buys at the T20 Mumbai League player auction
. Atharva Ankolekar: Rs 16.25 lakh (Eagle Thane Strikers)
. Musheer Khan: Rs 15 lakh (ARCS Andheri)
. Ayush Mhatre: Rs 14.75 lakh (Triumph Knights Mumbai North East)
. Shams Mulani: Rs 14 lakh (Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs)
. Angkrish Raghuvanshi: Rs 14 lakh (SoBo Mumbai Falcons)
. Mohit Avasthi: Rs 10.50 lakh (North Mumbai Panthers)
. Siddhesh Lad: Rs 10.25 lakh (Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals)
. Suved Parkar: Rs 8.50 lakh (Bandra Blasters)
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