Karnataka cricket season likely to start in July

The KSCA is gradually getting into work mode with the tournament committee putting in place a tentative plan and schedule earlier this week © Cricbuzz

Shorter formats, restructured tournaments, minimum travel and tweaked rules and regulations will be the norm as the Karnataka State Cricket Association looks to restart its season in July.

The KSCA is gradually getting into work mode with the tournament committee putting in place a tentative plan and schedule earlier this week. On Wednesday, association president Roger Binny met the state team coaches and KSCA academy staff to discuss the way forward.

On the cricketing front, the season will wear a new look.

The association is in the process of finalising a standard operating procedure (SOP), incorporating guidelines from various stakeholders. While the conditioning camp for state players is set to begin next week, KSCA is looking to kick-start the season with its Group I and II league matches. "Life without sport is unimaginable. If everything falls in place, we are hopeful of an early July start. Registration of players will begin this week," said Santosh Menon, secretary, KSCA.

SHORTER TOURNAMENTS

Various KSCA leagues were to have begun in mid-April, which means two and a half months will have been lost. With the controversy-ridden Karnataka Premier League being a non-starter, a three-week window will be available to make up for time lost. Also, the KSCA is looking to downsize the two-day league structure into one-day affairs. Among the tournaments which may be done away with this year are the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappaiah all-India invitational tournament, a red-ball event with 16 teams (12 of which are outstation squads), and the YSR memorial tournament.

"With limited time at our disposal and outstation teams unlikely to participate, the Thimmappaiah may not be played this season," explained Menon. "With no KPL, we'll get about six weeks to make up for lost time. Two-day league matches will be played as one-dayers because of the prevailing conditions. During a two-day match, God forbid, if one of the players' residential area is marked as containment zone, then the match gets disrupted. Also, instead of playing one match per venue each weekend, the number of matches can be doubled. All changes will be for this season only." With the league set to be a limited-overs contest, the YSR memorial tournament will not be held.

INTRA-ZONAL MATCHES

To prevent players from travelling from other cities and districts, the KSCA T20 tournament will be played only among Bengaluru teams. But mofussil teams won't be short-changed, Menon said, adding: "The safety of players is our priority. We don't want them to travel to Bengaluru and stay in crowded dormitories. We'll ensure they play intra-zonal matches."

LONGER FORMAT

While white-ball cricket is set to be the flavour of the season, Menon insisted that the longer format would not be ignored. The Safi Darashah Trophy is likely be played in a four-team challenger format and will double up as selection trials to pick state teams.

AGE GROUP MEETS

With no clarity on the reopening of schools, inter-school tournaments have been put on hold. But age-group cricket will not suffer. "Utmost care will have to be taken while dealing with age-group cricket because the association has to show a lot more responsibility while dealing with younger players. That said, inter-zonal, U-16, U-19 and U-23 tournaments will not be compromised," Menon said.

SAFETY MEASURES

While each venue will have a designated official responsible for checking temperature, sanitising and monitoring dressing rooms and the playing area, players too will have to adapt to the new normal. They will be asked to carry their own water bottles and towels, and sharing of equipment will not be allowed.

KEY NOTES

- Leagues likely to start in the first week of July, KSCA awaits government nod

- Standard operating procedure being prepared

- Conditioning camp for state players from next week

- Two finals from the previous season - the KSCA T20 tournament and Group II, Division I - to be completed at the beginning of the new season

- Two-day league matches to be one-day contests

- Dr (Capt) K Thimmappaiah memorial all-India invitational tournament and YSR memorial tournament to be put on hold this season

- Schools cricket committee to take a call on inter-school tournaments after the academic year begins

- Players will be asked to bring their own water bottles and sharing of equipment will not be allowed