TOURNAMENT REVIEW
Follow UsThe ICC T20 World Cup 2024 was the focal point of cricket for the last month. Many eyes were on the national teams and their performance in the event. Conversely, the end of IPL 2024 started a series of local domestic T20 leagues organized by various state cricket associations in India.
In June, three notable T20 Leagues happened, with Maharashtra Premier League and Sher e Punjab T20 Cup hosting their second editions in Pune and Mohali respectively. Bengal got its new T20 tournament in Bengal Pro T20 League with matches hosted at the iconic Eden Gardens.
Let's look back at these tournaments and see who all grabbed the opportunity and impressed.
MAHARASTRA PREMIER LEAGUE 2024
The 2nd edition of MPL was once again held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune. Six teams participated with Ratnagiri Jets winning their 2nd title in a row by beating Eagle Nashik Titans. A number of IPL and national team stalwarts like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi were a part of this tournament.
RUTURAJ GAIKWAD
Inns: 9 | Runs: 313 | Average: 52.17 | SR: 164 | 50s: 2 | 6s: 20
The CSK captain was the leader of Puneri Bappa. Even though the team had a terrible run in the tournament, finishing at the bottom of the points table and winning just three of the seven games, the individual contribution of Gaikwad was huge. He scored 313 runs in nine games at an average of 52.17 with a strike rate of 164.
He scored a couple of fifties and used the tournament to develop adaptability as he batted in the middle order between #4 and #6 and scored quick runs for this team. In the last game, he also donned the gloves and tried out wicketkeeping. With that specific move in the last game, Ruturaj definitely teased the CSK fans on possibly embodying MS Dhoni in not just captaincy but also in wicketkeeping role for the next year’s edition of IPL.
RAHUL TRIPATHI
Inns: 10 | Runs: 383 | Average: 42.56 | SR: 209 | 50s: 3 |6s: 22
Tripathi entered the tournament a little late. He started in the 3rd game and led the Kolhapur Tuskers in the absence of Kedar Jadhav who retired from competitive cricket after the first 2 games. His aggressive batting at the top order rubbed off on the rest of the Kolhapur side as the team made a comeback with five successive wins after a dodgy start where they lost their first four games.
Tripathi’s style of batting and approach showcased the impact of his IPL experience as his batting was far enhanced and superior to his subordinates. He smashed majority of the bowlers and showcased his exuberant stroke play of hitting paddle hits and reverse sweeps with precision. He had the best strike rate in the tournament (209) and played a big role in Kolhapur finishing 3rd at the end of the tournament.
ARSHIN KULKARNI
Batting - Inns: 13 | Runs: 314 | Average: 22.43 | SR: 142 | 50s: 2
Bowling - Inns: 13 | Wickets: 13 | Average: 30.08 | Economy: 10.86 | SR: 16.62
The future Indian pace-bowling all-rounder had a decent tournament as he opened the batting for the eventual runners-up Eagle Nashik Titans, scoring 314 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 142 with three 50+ scores through the tournament. With the ball, he did a decent job taking 13 wickets at a strike rate of 16.6. But, he had an economy of more than 10.
BREAKOUT PERFORMERS
MPL 2024 gave a stage to many new names who wanted to attract the attention of the scouts. At the end of the tournament, a few notable names can be expected to have caught the eye of the IPL scouts.
SATYAJEET BACHHAV – LEFT ARM SPINNER – RATNAGIRI JETS
Inns: 11 | Wickets: 25 | Average: 11.12 | Economy: 7.32 | SR: 9.12
- Highest wicket-taker in MPL 2024 – 25 wickets
- One of the leaders of bowling attack for the tournament champions Ratnagiri Jets
- Picked up three 4+ wicket hauls with the best figures in the tournament of 5/17 against Raigad Royals
- Bowled well in the slog overs picking up 11 wickets at a strike rate of 4.4
TANAY SANGHVI – RIGHT ARM PACER – RAIGAD ROYALS
Inns: 9 | Wickets: 19 | Average: 11.89 | Economy: 8.17 | SR: 8.74
- 4th highest wicket-taker in MPL 2024 – 19 wickets
- Best bowling strike rate in the tournament – 8.74
- Wickets across all three phases with most success in slog overs (16-20) with 9 wickets
- Ability to bowl multiple variations like slower balls, yorkers and others.
- Regularly dismissed well set top order batters while coming to bowl in the middle overs
ATHARVA KALE – RIGHT-HAND MIDDLE ORDER BATTER – EAGLE NASHIK TITANS
Inns: 11 | Runs: 378 | Average: 47.25 | SR: 166 | 50s: 3 | 6s: 32
- Most 6s in MPL 2024 – 32
- Accelerated team’s total in the middle overs at a strike rate of 160 and in slog overs at a strike rate of 240
- Attacked both pacers and spinners equally at 166 SR
SHER E PUNJAB T20 2024
Mohali once again hosted the 2nd edition of Sher e Punjab T20 Cup, in which six teams competed for the title. Naman Dhir’s BLV Blasters once again clinched the trophy. The tournament saw many Punjab state team players, such as Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and others, along with veteran Punjab players like Mandeep Singh and Siddharth Kaul, in the mix.
ABHISHEK SHARMA – AGRI KING’S KNIGHTS
Batting: Inns: 11 | Runs: 201 | Average: 18.27 | SR: 166 | 50s: 1
Bowling: Inns: 11 | Wickets: 13 | Average: 23.08 | Economy: 6.82 |SR: 20.31
The best striker of IPL 2024 came into his first Sher e Punjab T20 Cup with rich form. Leading the Agri King’s Knights, the 24-year-old all-rounder had a terrible season with the bat, scoring just 201 runs in 11 innings at an average of 18.27 with an aggressive strike rate of 166. He managed just one 50+ score and certainly did not carry forward the batting form of IPL 2024.
But Abhishek's bowling was a complete contrast to his batting. The left-arm spinner took 13 wickets at an excellent economy of 6.82, which was amongst the lowest for a bowler in this edition. He bowled largely during powerplay, taking 11 of his 13 wickets in the 1-6 phase.
PRABHSIMRAN SINGH – TRIDENT STALLIONS
Inns: 12 | Runs: 454 | Average: 45.4 | SR: 152 | 50s: 2 | 100s: 1 | 6s: 22
Prabhsimran Singh came into his first Sher e Punjab T20 Cup on the back of a decent IPL 2024 for Punjab Kings. The keeper batter led the Trident Stallions for their first ever Sher e Punjab finals, scoring the most runs for the team - 454 runs in 12 innings at an average of 45.4 with a strike rate of 152. He ended the tournament as the third highest run scorer. He scored a brilliant 122* against Agri King’s Knights and led his team extremely well, winning 7 of the 10 games and finishing at the top of the points table in the league stage.
NAMAN DHIR – BLV BLASTERS
Inns: 12 | Runs: 401 | Average: 33.42 | SR: 174 | 50s: 5 | 6s: 24
The breakout star of Sher e Punjab 2023 came in the second edition as an established batter on the back of an IPL experience for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024. He led his BLV Blasters side to an emphatic second championship title. Individually, he was a major contributor for the Blasters scoring 401 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 174. He scored five 50+ scores which was the joint second most in the tournament.
With the ball, he only bowled in four games, picking up four wickets at a decent economy of 6.9. His captaincy must be appreciated, as he used his vibrant bowling attack excellently, which resulted in four of his bowlers taking 10+ wickets in the tournament and ultimately led to a championship win.
Other notable players like Harpreet Brar and Ramandeep Singh played their roles perfectly. Brar was BLV Blasters' highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets and 120 runs with the bat at a strike rate of 162. Ramandeep, too, continued his outstanding form, scoring 290 runs and taking 10 wickets. He was also the best fielder in the tournament, taking the most catches for a non-keeper—13.
BREAKOUT PERFORMERS
HARNOOR SINGH - LEFT-HAND OPENING BATTER - BLV BLASTERS
Inns: 12 | Runs: 578 | Average: 57.8 | SR: 153 | 50s: 6 | 6s: 33
- Highest run scorer of Sher e Punjab T20 2024 - 578 runs
- Most 50+ scores in the tournament - 6 | Most 6s in the the tournament - 33 | Highest average in the tournament - 57.8
- Excellent record while chasing - 68.8 average, 5 fifties
- 150+ SR against both pacers and spinners
KARTEEK SINGH - LEFT-HAND OPENING BATTER - JK SUPER STRIKERS
Inns: 10 | Runs: 457 | Average: 57.13 | SR: 168 | 50s: 5 | 6s: 28
- 2nd highest run scorer in the tournament - 457 runs | 2nd most 6s in the tournament - 28
- 171 SR against spin in the tournament
- Most boundaries in powerplay (1-6) - 45
BENGAL PRO T20 LEAGUE
The iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata played host to the first-ever edition of the Bengal Pro T20 League from June 11th - June 28th. The eight-team tournament was held for both men and women simultaneously. The final saw Murshirdabad Kings take on Sobisco Smashers Malda for the inaugural championship. Unfortunately, rain played spoilsport, resulting in both the finalists sharing the trophy.
SHAHBAZ AHAMAD
Batting - Inns: 7 | Runs: 297 | Average: 49.5 | SR: 155 | 50s: 2 | 6s: 14
Bowling - Inns: 7 | Wickets: 7 | Average: 24.4 | Economy: 6.6 | SR: 22.3
Shahbaz Ahamad had an excellent tournament with the bat scoring 297 runs, becoming the 3rd highest run scorer. He maintained a good average of 49.5 and smashed at an excellent strike rate of 155. But, his bowling was a complete contradiction to his batting as he picked just seven wickets but was economical, conceding runs at just 6.6.
ABHISHEK POREL
Inns: 8 | Runs: 215 | Average: 26.88 | SR: 113 | 50: 1
Porel had an ordinary tournament. He did not feature in the top five highest run scorers. His scoring rate was far below his IPL 2024 scoring rate as he batted at 113 strike rate, which is not up to T20 standards. With an average of 26.88 and just one 50+ score, the wicketkeeper-batter had a tournament to forget. Captaincy didn't quite work in Porel's favour.
MUKESH KUMAR
Inns: 7 | Wickets: 16 | Average: 9.4 | Economy: 6.3 | SR: 9.0
Mukesh Kumar had a successful first edition of Bengal Pro T20 2024. He excelled both as a bowler, taking the most wickets in the tournament (16), and captain, leading his side Sobisco Smashers Malda to the final of the first edition. Most of his wickets came in slog overs (16-20), as he picked up 10 of his 16 wickets in this phase. His excellent captaincy must also be appreciated as he led his side to 7 wins in 8 league stage games and helped them qualify to the knockouts as table toppers.
BREAKOUT PERFORMERS
PRIYANSHU GAURAV SRIVASTAV - RIGHT-HAND BATTER - RASHMI MEDINIPUR WIZARDS
Inns: 7 | Runs: 345 | Average: 86.25 | SR: 134 | 50s: 3
- Highest run scorer of Bengal Pro T20 2024 - 345 runs
- Highest average in the tournament - 86.25 | Most boundaries in the tournament - 48
- Scored 253 runs in 4 innings while chasing. Got out only once. All three fifties came while chasing
SAKSHAM CHAUDHARY - RIGHT ARM PACER - ADAMAS HOWRAH WARRIORS
Inns: 7 | Wickets: 15 | Average: 11.5 | Economy: 10.3 | SR: 6.7
- 3rd highest wicket-taker - 15
- Slog over specialist bowler as he took 10 of his 15 wickets in overs 16-20.
- Expensive, but has wicket-taking abilities with slower balls, off cutters and yorkers
- Best bowling SR in the tournament - 6.7
With the enhancement of domestic T20 leagues and the majority of state cricket associations starting their own tournament, it will certainly help IPL talent scouts to find quality talents who can potentially be big-time players for their respective IPL franchises and for India in the coming years. With Tamil Nadu Premier League and Karnataka's Maharaja Trophy lined up in the next couple of months, expect more fresh faces to make a lasting impression in these upcoming tournaments.
