Nagpur: Vidarbha Cricket Association”s ambitious Corporate Cup is all set to become a reality as twelve corporate houses have shown interest and confirmed their entries. The teams have even finished the exercise of hiring players. All the teams will be fighting for whopping 9 lakh prize money.
April 12 was the last date of submission of forms. As April 12 was Sunday, all the twelve teams will be submitting their entries with details of players on April 13.
In last few days there was intense hustle-bustle in the cricketers arena as every one of them looked for better opportunity with better corporate house. There are four berths for contracted players in each team and three berths for players on scholarship. It was reported that the players are being offered between 2,000 to 5000 for scholarships of two years.
As the Corporate Cup will be a T20 affair the demand of T20 specialists like Jitesh Sharma, Vikrant Gonnade, Aakash Jha, Abhishek Chaurasia, Durgesh Mishra, Aditya Shanware, Ali Zoren Khan and few others were on the radar of almost all the twelve team owners.
Earlier, there were many doubts over the Corporate Cup and its organization with not many teams showing interest in it. However, few former Ranji players and top VCA officials persuaded few of the corporate houses and managed to get response from as many as twelve teams. Finally, the ambitious concept of VCA administration is all set to hit the ground from April 19.
While talking to Lokmat Times, president of Vidarbha Cricket Association, Prakash Dixit confirmed that, “Everything thing is set for the Corporate Cup. Looking at weather, if required the tournament dates could be adjusted accordingly. And, if weather is good and favorable for playing cricket, the Corporate Cup would start from April 19.
“Corporate Cup will prove to be a good launchpad for junior cricketers. Talented young cricketers are being hired by corporate houses. The competition level in the cup will be very high and it is help youngsters to a great extent.
“This type of concept is good for cricketers to cover their basic expenses. It will also give them an opportunity to come forward and raise beyond Guzder League. Since all the eyes will be on this cup, a player will be easily recognized. Plus a security of job or scholarship will be an added advantage for players. Families of players too will be happy,” said current Ranji player who will be playing from one of the teams from west Nagpur.
• Winners 5 lakh
• Runners-up 2 lakh
• Third Prize 75,000
• Man of the match in league matches 5,000
• Man of the match in semi-finals 15,000
• Man of the match in final 25,000
• Player of the tournament 50,000
• It will be a T20 meet
• Semi-final and final will be played at Jamtha under lights
• Teams will play in coloured clothings
• Scholarships and contracts will last for two years
• Only registered players of VCA are allowed Teams
• Royal Mineral
• IOS Institute Sports
• Tajshree Motors
• Nirmal Urban Bank
• AG Nagpur
• Central Railway
• SE Railway
• MOIL
• AXIS Bank
• Hotel Parashar
• JSW Steel
• Union Bank of India
