Yuva Premier League (YPL 2015) – Innovation in Society Cricket at its best!
Mumbai has been a major force in Indian Cricket. No wonder they are the Ranji trophy champs on 40 occasions and also produced many great cricketers making the city proud of its achievements in Cricket. What could be the reasons of this great achievement by Mumbai. Amongst many, to play cricket in Mumbai, you do not require a ground. They play on roads and gullies, and in rain on the roads, Mohallas, and in small vacant plot. Yes, of course the space in between 2 buildings which has been one place that has seen many underarm matches played with great zeal and enthusiasm.
From confined to mostly playing underarm cricket in buildings, few of the societies have gone further by utilising the huge space available not just to play but to gather and bond together as a unit.
One such society (Whispering Palms) in Kandivali, with 5 buildings, 17 wings, 1500 flats and 6000 residents have made full use of their space. They have taken cricket to new heights at societies and have shown you can make the game large. Thus took the birth of YPL (Yuva Premier league) last year and teams being formed on auction basis.
While the success of last year was a stepping stone, this year the tournament is expected to be more entertaining with 8 teams to be formed. The owners are allowed to keep 2 players of their choice and the rest to be bided(Total of 140 players registered as of now).
To be Played in day and night with tennis ball,colourful outfit, music and fanfare, YPL 2015 would be a 2 day affair on April 18th and 19th. The best part about this event is the funds raised to be utilized for social causes.
If a tournament has to be more successful, it has to be the presence of sponsors. Well, Soy Milk has arrived on the scene and will giving out kookaburra balls signed by Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee to every man of the match.
Also what this cricket event has done is to brought the entire Whispering Palms under one roof. Yes something missing in many of the societies especially in this modern era and times where in many of them in many societies not even knowing much about their other members. Truly a great initiative by Mr.Paresh Shetty and his team who have set the ball rolling. We too are waiting for the action to begin wherein nails will be bitten and fingers kept crossed by many. Awaiting for April 18th 2015.
– By Venkatarman Iyer
Sr. Editor @ www.cricketgraph.com