Maharashtra Premier League unlikely to take place this year

Akshay Darekar. Pic/Shadab Khan

The fourth edition of the Maharashtra Cricket Association's (MCA) Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) is unlikely to take place in June this year. The six-team T20 tournament provides opportunities for promising players to get selected in Maharashtra's T20 team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy besides getting noticed by IPL talent scouts.

As Mumbai High Court stayed elections of the Maharashtra Cricket Association last January, retired Justice GA Sanap has been appointed as MCA's Administrator. "I think the MCA Administrator called all team owners and had meetings regarding MPL, but it will take some time to come to a decision. How can you start the tournament within a month, on June 10, when there is no planning," a source told mid-day on Monday.

When asked about the possibility of the fourth edition of the MPL, he said: "I think it'll be postponed this year. It's difficult to see the MPL take place now. It will happen after the new MCA body comes into existence."

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Ranji Trophy team's chief selector Akshay Darekar is optimistic that the T20 tournament will be held in September, ahead of the domestic season. "I'm not sure if it's going to happen now or later. It happens in June every year, but we're still waiting for a call. It's a concern for players. If it doesn't happen now, then it should take place in September. I'm hopeful that it will happen," Darekar told mid-day over the phone from Pune on Monday.

Darekar, who is also MPL team Kolhapur Tuskers's mentor, lauded the MPL for producing IPL players like Arshin Kulkarni (Lucknow Super Giants), Sahil Parakh (Delhi Capitals), Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Ramakrishna Ghosh (both Chennai Super Kings).

"Arshin, Sahil, Raj and Ramkrishna are getting opportunities [in the IPL] now. All these players first showcased their talent in MPL to get a chance in Maharashtra's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy team. The [IPL] scouts must have seen them and called them for the trials. If it [MPL] doesn't happen, the players will suffer," Darekar said.