Ghavri, Ankola impressed with young talent in Bihar
The first day of the second phase of "Search for Bowlers" trials, organized by
Bihar Cricket Association
(BCA), was successfully conducted at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna on Friday under the watchful eyes of former cricketers Karsan
Ghavri
and Salil
Ankola
.
Both took part in the selection process to assess the skills of budding talents from across the state. Out of more than 400 participants, a total of 76 bowlers were shortlisted on the day, including 65 male and 11 female bowlers.
"These children have so much potential that they can progress significantly. It's not necessary that only 20 children have talent; the others also have good abilities and can advance. However, the game isn't the same as it used to be.
It involves discipline, hard-work, and playing lots of matches. Every player needs to be a performer," Ghavri said on the sidelines of scouting event.
"Many good players can be seen at the nets, but the true player is the one who performs well under pressure during a match. The initiative taken by BCA is a great step and it will be very beneficial in the future. The selected children will also ensure that you have fast bowlers and spinners in the pipeline, so you won't need to search elsewhere," added Ghavri, who has played 39 Tests.
Former India selector Ankola also highlighted the advancement of scope and opportunity these days.
"Talented bowlers need to work hard, and if they get a chance, it opens a path for them. It helps to understand how we grew up. In the late 1980s, we were like 18 or 19 years old, and there wasn't much available. We didn't know what to do. We used to chop wood and do things ourselves. We didn't realize how proper training was done," said Ankola.
The final selection of players will take place during the concluding trial scheduled on Saturday. The final phase, which was originally scheduled to be held on May 11 and 12, was postponed for the safety of players, officials, and all stakeholders in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Sachin Tendulkar blamed for 'not objecting' to Pataudi Trophy row: 'He's the greatest; should himself have told them...'
Former India all-rounder Karsan Ghavri has expressed strong disapproval over the renaming of the Pataudi Trophy to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, ahead of the five-Test series between India and England that begins on Friday at Headingley. Ghavri, who represented India in the 1970s and early 1980s, termed the move disrespectful to the Pataudi legacy and questioned the decision-making process behind the change. The Pataudi Trophy, instituted in 2007, was named in honour of Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and his son Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, both former India captains and towering figures in Indian cricket history. With the ECB and BCCI now choosing to rename the series trophy after modern-era icons Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson, Ghavri felt the change undermined the stature of the Pataudis. Ghavri also pointed fingers at the BCCI for not objecting when the name change was initially proposed. 'The first time this name change was suggested, the BCCI should have objected and said that this cannot happen. Had BCCI put their foot down, they [ECB] would have never changed it. The Pataudi family should have objected to it too,' he added. While the BCCI has announced that a medal in the name of the Pataudis will be presented to the winning captain, Ghavri believes this is insufficient. 'If you have respected such big players over the years, then this respect should continue. Now they're saying that while the trophy will be called the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a medal in the name of Pataudi will be given to the winning team captain. But why change the name of the trophy?' The former Indian cricketer also felt Sachin Tendulkar could have intervened when the renaming was first proposed. 'Sachin Tendulkar himself should have told them that this should not happen,' Ghavri said. 'If BCCI put their foot down, they still can ensure the Pataudi Trophy continues.' 'Sachin is the greatest batsman of all time and Anderson is a great fast bowler from England. Both are great ambassadors of their countries. If you want to honour them, give all players Anderson-Tendulkar medals,' he signed off.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Vadodara to host men's ODI after 16 years!
Vadodara: The 16-year-long wait for cricket-loving Barodians is finally set to end. The city will host a men's one-day international (ODI) at the Kotambi International Cricket Stadium. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The BCCI has scheduled the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Vadodara on Jan 11, 2026. Coincidentally, the last ODI played in the city in 2010 was also between India and New Zealand at the Reliance Stadium. India won the match by nine wickets. "It is a matter of privilege for a venue to be chosen to host an international cricket match in any format. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) is honoured as it has been given an opportunity to host the India-New Zealand ODI," said Pranav Amin, BCA president. The BCCI recently announced its cricketing calendar for the rest of the year, but Vadodara didn't figure on the list of venues for any international men's cricket match in 2025. Sources in the BCA said that Amin took up the matter with the BCCI and requested the senior officials to consider the city as a venue for the men's ODI or international T20 match, as the city now has a brand new international cricket stadium. BCA officials said that the city will now be regularly allotted ODIs and international T20 matches. The city has in the past hosted 10 ODIs at Reliance Stadium. However, the BCCI brought in a rule that mandated the state cricket associations to own a stadium for hosting international matches. The BCA didn't have a stadium of its own and hence missed out on several opportunities to host ODIs, T20 internationals, and IPL matches over the last 16 years. The cricket stadium was a major poll issue in the BCA for nearly 20 years, and the association even made a few attempts to buy land for constructing a stadium. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deals, though, failed. The BCA finally managed to buy a piece of land at Kotambi in 2014, but the stadium project kept hanging in the balance amid controversies and differences within the BCA management. Construction of the stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000 spectators, finally took off in 2020. In December 2024, the Rs 250-crore Kotambi stadium hosted an India-West Indies women's ODI, which was followed by Women's Premier League T20 matches this year. Vadodara: The 16-year-long wait for cricket-loving Barodians is finally set to end. The city will host a men's one-day international (ODI) at the Kotambi International Cricket Stadium. The BCCI has scheduled the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Vadodara on Jan 11, 2026. Coincidentally, the last ODI played in the city in 2010 was also between India and New Zealand at the Reliance Stadium. India won the match by nine wickets. "It is a matter of privilege for a venue to be chosen to host an international cricket match in any format. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) is honoured as it has been given an opportunity to host the India-New Zealand ODI," said Pranav Amin, BCA president. The BCCI recently announced its cricketing calendar for the rest of the year, but Vadodara didn't figure on the list of venues for any international men's cricket match in 2025. Sources in the BCA said that Amin took up the matter with the BCCI and requested the senior officials to consider the city as a venue for the men's ODI or international T20 match, as the city now has a brand new international cricket stadium. BCA officials said that the city will now be regularly allotted ODIs and international T20 matches. The city has in the past hosted 10 ODIs at Reliance Stadium. However, the BCCI brought in a rule that mandated the state cricket associations to own a stadium for hosting international matches. The BCA didn't have a stadium of its own and hence missed out on several opportunities to host ODIs, T20 internationals, and IPL matches over the last 16 years. The cricket stadium was a major poll issue in the BCA for nearly 20 years, and the association even made a few attempts to buy land for constructing a stadium. The deals, though, failed. The BCA finally managed to buy a piece of land at Kotambi in 2014, but the stadium project kept hanging in the balance amid controversies and differences within the BCA management. Construction of the stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000 spectators, finally took off in 2020. In December 2024, the Rs 250-crore Kotambi stadium hosted an India-West Indies women's ODI, which was followed by Women's Premier League T20 matches this year.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
BPL to offer free entry for cricket fans
Vadodara: Cricket-loving Barodians can enjoy the thrill of the T20 format without spending a penny, as the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has decided to keep entry free for the inaugural edition of the Baroda Premier League (BPL), which kicks off on Sunday at the Kotambi International Cricket Stadium. BCA treasurer Sheetal Mehta announced that no entry fee would be charged for spectators. The title trophy for the league was unveiled on Thursday in the presence of team owners, players, and BCA officials. BCA president Pranav Amin said the BPL would provide a valuable platform for local talent to shine and potentially catch the eye of national selectors. As a mark of respect for the victims of the Ahmedabad plane crash, the BCA refrained from organising an elaborate launch ceremony on Thursday. However, Devendra Surti, BCA member and head of the Cricket Hitrakshak Samiti, urged the association to consider postponing the tournament in light of the tragedy. This year's edition features five privately owned teams. Amin added that while the franchises were sold to owners for this season, the BCA may consider introducing a player auction system from the next edition if the league gains traction. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
