The Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) 2024 will have its inaugural season in a few days from now. As Team India prepares itself for the knockout rounds of T20 World Cup 2024, baby steps are already been taken in Madhya Pradesh, to unearth talent for the future.
The inaugural season of the MPL will be played among five teams. The league will be played in a round-robin format, with all teams playing each other twice in the group stage. The knockouts will include an eliminator, and the final.
With an aim to expand the league from the second season, MPL CEO, Ravi Patankar outlined the aims of the T20 league in an interview ahead of the players' draft, earlier this month. Patankar spoke about the impact of league on the domestic cricket scenario in Madhya Pradesh.
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What did CEO Ravi Patankar say about the vision of the Madhya Pradesh League?
In an interview before the player draft of MPL 2024, league CEO, Ravi Patankar spoke about the vision and aim of starting the domestic T20 league within the state. Patankar recalled taking inspiration from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
I have been the selector for Gwalior division. I have been the selector for Madhya Pradesh for 14-15 years. Whenever I went to Tamil Nadu or Karnataka, I saw the emergence of the domestic T20 leagues. That’s when I thought, ‘Why not MP?’, Patankar revealed.
He also stated that MPL could prove to be a pathway for youngsters in Madhya Pradesh to represent in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The domestic T20 leagues are a great source of player scoutings, even for the IPL franchises. I always wanted to promote the youngsters of Madhya Pradesh. Something extra had to be done, and this (Madhya Pradesh League) is that extra which we are trying to do, Ravi Patankar spoke about the vision behind MPL 2024.
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What did Ravi Patankar say about the quality of players from Madhya Pradesh?
Ravi Patankar was proud about the bundle of talent that Madhya Pradesh has produced over the years. He only hoped that more and more quality players would be produced, as a result of the Madhya Pradesh League.
We have had all kinds of players. These players only needed a platform, and this is the platform that we will provide them. The matches will go live, so hopefully the players are noticed and picked up further, the League CEO hoped.
Over the last 3-4 years, many Madhya Pradesh players have gone on to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). MPL will add to that number in the coming years, he concluded.
When will Madhya Pradesh League 2024 start?
The inaugural edition of the Madhya Pradesh League will kickstart on June 15, 2024. A total of 12 matches will be played over nine days. The final of the 2024 season will be played on June 23.
Moreover, all the matches will be played at the newly-constructed Gwalior International Stadium.
MORE: Madhya Pradesh League 2024: Complete schedule and results
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