Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli is ready to coach or share his expertise if any team from the newly floated Mumbai T20 League approaches him. The aggressive Mumbai left hander who last year had expressed interest via twitter to coach Pakistan cricket team after Waqar Younis’ resignation said he has no regrets that Twenty20 format didn’t exist during his time.
“If any one comes forward, I am ready to coach and share my experience. In our time we played like T20 in last 15 overs (of 50-over game). I am ready to share that experience,” he said at the sidelines of a function organised by Mumbai Cricket Association to unveil the official logo of their first ever T20 Mumbai League on Thursday.
The 45-year-old didn’t regret to play in T20 format as it didn’t exist during his international career. “I played my T20 when I was playing for my country. I played all the shots in 50 overs. So I don’t regret playing the format that has become more acceptable now by all countries,” he quipped.
Though it took long for city’s cricket association to launch a T20 League, Kambli felt it will be a big platform for youngsters.
“It is a good opportunity for youngsters. It is a big platform, hope they enjoy and get exposure. They can showcase their talent. It is a learning process. If they do well here they will get bigger platform like IPL as well,” he said.
With IPL auction traditionally being held late in January or first week of February the tournament, players will be keen to impress. MCA will provide a list of the best Mumbai origin local club talent with several IPL players in the mix. They will be placed in a central player pool to then join the teams and give Mumbai the greatest experience of its most popular sport.
MCA has appointed the consortium of IIFL Investment managers and its associated companies (IIFL Group), the lead member of consortium and Wizcraft Group to plan, execute the league is entirety represented under Probability Sports LLP. The organisers talked of bringing cricket which is a passion in the city and Bollywood on the same platform. Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan who failed to bid for Pune IPL team in 2010 was also at the event to support the league which he felt “excited” about.
“We were trying this from a long time and now we have found good partners with a vision. It will be an opportunity for young talented players to develop their game and gain from others. This tournament and remuneration will be best for their personal life and their academics,” MCA President Ashish Shelar said.
The Mumbai T20 League will consist of six teams dividing city into six zones which are North West, North East, North, North Central, South and South Central, respectively. The league will be played from January 4 to 9 on round robin basis. The top two teams in the league with most points accumulated will play a final match to decide the first edition winner. The opening ceremony will take place on January 2. There will be three matches played in a day at Wankhede stadium followed by the finals on January 9.
Mumbai’s Test players Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane will not be available for the T20 League as they are part of the Indian Test team for South Africa series. The franchise names, owners and players will be revealed later.
“We will be entering the final agreement on Monday or Tuesday after finalising all the details. The response from the corporate, bollywood and others have been phenomenal. This year we had small window (January 4-9) due to packed BCCI calendar but we will get it done during this time. From next year we may look at bigger window,” Shelar added.
