If India got IPL-Kudla got MPL! Guess Which Players got Sold and Unsold at MPL Auction?
Mangaluru: The eagerly awaited player auction of Mangalore Premier League (MPL) Cricket Tournament jointly organized by the Brand Vision Events, Mangaluru Occasional and Sea Bird Cricket Academy with the approval and guidance of Karnataka State Cricket Association was held on 17th February at Forum Fiza Mall. The fourth version of Mangalore Premier League will be held from 20th March to 01st April 2018 at B.R.Ambedkar Cricket Stadium, NMPT, Mangaluru.
With owners of 12 teams in fray, already picking up their owner’s choice player, the auction was about picking the remaining 15-players including two IPL/KPL and Ranji players from outside Mangaluru zone, four each A and B category players and five C category players. As per Sirajuddin, chairman, MPL, speaking to Team Mangalorean said that the player auction tested the management skills of teams in picking up the right mix of players, who will battle it out for the MPL title at Dr B R Ambedkar Stadium of NMPT, from March 20. The tournament is all about giving maximum exposure to C category or upcoming players to find their feet in this slam-bang variety of the game, he said, adding if a few of them make it to KPL, the tournament will be worth the effort.
While non-Mangaluru zone players who have already played the game at the highest level were allowed to command a base price of Rs 10,000 with teams allowed to bid a maximum of Rs 50,000 for them, those in A category had the same base price as non-Mangaluru zone players with the spending cap of Rs 40,000 on them. Players in B category commanded a base price of Rs 5,000 with the cap of Rs 20,000 and C category base price of Rs 2,000 and cap of Rs 5,000. Manohar Amin, Mangaluru zonal convener of Karnataka State Cricket Association addressing the gathering said that KSCA is backing efforts of the organisers in promoting the game in mofussil centres. “We have seen talent such as K L Rahul emerge from Mangaluru, and hopefully MPL will help throw up more such exciting talent, that could emulate the likes of Rahul in future,” he said.
There was plenty of drama, and even more calm at the MPL 2018 Player Auction – where some outstanding buys, some ridiculous money spent and some amazing snubs. In the auction, every team had the purse of its icon player with the base price of Rs 20,000 to purchase the players in the bidding. The Teams present at the ‘Auction ‘ were- Maestro Titans (Owners-MLC Ivan D’Souza and Canyut Fernandes); ‘The Coastal Digest (Mohammed Dawood, Mohammed Azaruddin and Asif); ‘Karkala Gladiators’ (Avinah Rao); ‘Bedra Bulls-Moodabidri’ (Mithun Rai-President Youth Congress); A K Sports-Udupi (Sheesh Mohammed); Wise Warriors Suralpady ( Addu Majid); Mangalore United (MLA Moideen Bava); United Ullal (Minister U T Khader and Ismail); Classic Bantwal (Minister Ramanath Rai and Hamza Dejepadi); Ali Warriors (Ali Aspaq Tara); and T4 Super Kings (Marcel Noronha and Macneal Noronha-the Dad and Son duo)
At the auction, K.C. Kariappa, Stalin Hoover, Negi, Taha, and few more were adorned as Icons, while Hrishab, Bharath Kota, Lal Sachin, Abhilash were sold for the maximum prize during the bidding. Dikanshu Negi was sold to the Coastal Digest team for the maximum fixed prize of Rs 50 thousand from the state players list. Mangalore United bagged I P L player Suchith for Rs 35 thousand Pawan KB was entered into the Maestro Titans for Rs 48 thousand. Mohammed Taha, Akhil B, Abrar Kazi -, Kunain Abbas, Abhinav, David, Pawan K.B., Kranthikumar, Devadatta, Dube, Ravikumar, Stalin Hoover, Rohan Kadam, More, Raju Bhatkal,Sharath, Prithviraj, Vishwanath, Vaishak, Nidhish, Shashi Shekhar, were the players from the state category list who were adorn the front seats in the different teams:
Bharath Kota (AK Sports Udupi), Karthik (United Ullala), Lal Sachin (Team Elegant), and Abhilash (Karkala Gladiators) were the players sold out for the maximum prize of Rs 50 thousand from A Category. The players who were sold out for maximum prize Rs.20000.00 from B category are: Sadiq (Mangalore United), Shreesha (T4 Super King), Rahul (AK Sports, Udupi), Sathya Swaroop (United Ullala), Ibrahim Athrady (Maestro Titans), Kashinath (Classic Bantwala), and Nasrulla (Ali Warriors). Harsha Bhat, Samaresh and Appanna were the three players sold out from C category for the maximum fixed prize of Rs.10000. Remaining players were sold out for the base prize from this category.
As per the provision given, the team owners have nominated the players as Icon players prior to the auction process, namely :Adithya Somanna (Coastal), Nischith Rao (United Ullala), Bharath Duri (Bedra), Akshaya Ballal (Mangalore United) Nehal Ullal (T4), Rahul Kotian (Wise), Rithesh Bhatkal (Ali Warriors), K.C. Cariappa (AK Sports), Nithin Mulki (Gladiators) Nehal D’Souza (Maestro Titan), Manoj M (Elegant), and Arif Mukka (Classic)
Manohar Amin, Mangaluru zonal convener of Karnataka State Cricket Association inaugurated the auction process. Yashpal Suvarna, Tushar, Deepthi, Ali Ashpak Tara, Kushal Kumar, Chirag, Mubin, U T Ifthikar, Marshal Noronha were present as Chief guests. Coastalwood actor Anoop Sagar and actress Aradhya Shetty also graced the occasion. Chairman of the MPL Sirajuddin welcomed the gathering. Imthiaz conducted the auction process and rendered the vote of thanks. while Saftar Shirva, Balakrishna Parkala and Shashidar Kodikal were the Judges of the auction. Shivnarayan Aithal compered the event very professionally. The organizers had made provision for live coverage through www.facebook/famecrick and www.famecrick.com.
Through this cricket tournament, Mangalore Premier League (MPL) aims to promote Peace, Harmony & Goodwill, with the motto ” Let’s Get United Through Cricket”! The committee members of Mangalore Premier League have once again decided to host their 4th Cricket Tournament, but this time with a strong message of bringing awareness on Peace, Harmony and Goodwill in the community, since there have been a number of incidents of unrest, clashes, murders etc causing disharmony in the name of religion and culture. Sporting events apart from promoting sports and games, also serve as a launching pad in promoting peace and harmony and impressed upon the organizers to hold tournaments with the same objective. With that belief MPL organizers are hoping for the best to make a difference and bring a change in the society with peace, harmony and goodwill, with the motto-“Let’s Get United Through Cricket!”
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