A tournament that helps players get into IPL: Dravid lauds KSCA T20 tournament’s role

Unveiling the Maharaja Trophy, cricket legend Rahul Dravid termed the KSCA T20 league a vital scouting ground for IPL franchises, while the association announced key rule changes regarding free-hits and pre-toss team submissions for the upcoming season

Bengaluru:  Former India skipper Rahul Dravid on Thursday termed the upcoming Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament as a fine platform for the young state players to showcase their talent, which can open the door to the lucrative Indian Premier League.

The latest edition of the tournament will be played across Mysuru, Hubballi and Bengaluru from June 20 to July 12.

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“Having myself been involved in the IPL for many years, I know for a fact that it is a tournament that is followed by a lot of IPL teams. There will be scouts who come to the games live, but many of them watch it on television as well,” Dravid said after unveiling the trophy.

“The scores, statistics and data from these matches are watched very closely and it really helps a lot of these players get into the IPL,” he added.

Dravid cited the example of Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner Yash Raj Punja, who hails from Karnataka.

“He has not played a lot of cricket in Karnataka. But he did really well in the IPL. He was able to play in the IPL and he was able to actually perform quite well in the IPL. So, there are some fantastic stories that come out of tournaments like this,” said Dravid.

The 19-year-old Punja shone in last season’s Maharaja Trophy, earning a contract with the Royals, and he grabbed nine wickets from eight matches in this IPL.

Dravid said conducting the tournament in three venues will help the development of the game in remote areas of the state.

“It’s really nice to see that this year’s edition of the Maharaja Trophy is going to be conducted in three cities. So that is a very good thing because it really ensures that the game of cricket is being moved to different cities in Karnataka. It gives many people the opportunity to be able to see live some of the best talents in Karnataka,” he said.

KSCA President Venkatesh Prasad said, “The Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 continues to provide an important platform for young players to showcase their abilities, gain valuable experience and take significant steps forward in their cricketing careers. We are proud to offer a pathway that inspires the next generation of champions.”

The KSCA secretary Santosh Menon detailed three key changes made to the playing conditions.

“The tournament will retain the Impact Player rule, with teams required to submit their playing XI before the toss, to emphasise the role of all-rounders.

“The competition will also adopt a provision whereby runs will not be awarded if a batter is dismissed off a free-hit delivery, rewarding bowlers for delivering a legal wicket-taking ball after a no-ball.

“In addition, if an on-field dismissal is subsequently overturned and the batter is found to be not out, any runs completed during the play will be restored to both the batter and the batting team,” said Menon.