Published>Sun, May 23 10 05:47 AM
At 57, prestigious Sheesh Mahal goes Twenty20 way
It was a matter of choice, either continue living up to its purist legacy or to make a brand new and colourful start. Sheesh Mahal, India's longest running and richest prize-money cricket tournament eventually decided to go the glamorous way.
In its 57th edition ? which will commence at the end of the month ? the prestigious event will show-off it's new Twenty20 format, shedding the red-ball-white-clothes image it has donned since inception in 1951. But more than just keeping pace with the changing times, sponsors Sahara, who revived the tournament in 2006 with monetary incentives of Rs 25 lakhs, has reinvented the format to use the tournament as a platform to identify players for its new IPL franchise, Sahara Pune Warriors, ahead of a fresh IPL player auction later this year.
The big names of Team India, rested for the Zimbabwe series, are all expected to be seen in action during the May 31-June 5 eight-team event in Lucknow and will also serve as a form-guide for injured and fringe players for Asia Cup selection.
"The tournament will provide an excellent platform for players to show their potential and be a part of the Sahara Pune Warriors side in the IPL and that was one of the reasons why we decided to adapt to the T20 format. Also, when we tried to hold it last year, we realised that there was no space in the domestic calendar, and all the prominent players were busy," Abhijit Sarkar, head of corporate communications, Sahara India Pariwar told The Sunday Express.
"We wanted the best players to be playing in it. Time remains a constraint this time too, but T20 helps get on with things. Plus, we have to accept that cricket looks attractive in coloured clothing and under lights," Sarkar added.
The evolution of Sheesh Mahal has seen the format reducing by days. It was first played over three days, then in a two-day format, followed by a 40-over a side event before becoming T20 from this year. The change of format and IPL talent scout programme has the present crop excited about the fresh opportunities coming their way. But India's former cricketers have expressed their reservations about overwhelming influence of IPL and T20 cricket.
"It's doing great damage," said former Test cricketer Madan Lal. "Back in our days, a good performance in Sheesh Mahal opened doors for national selection. Such was the competition and stature of the tournament."
Source: Web Search
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