The Kashmir Pulse

KULGAM — A 14-year-old teenager has emerged as the youngest player to be signed by the Bangalore Strikers in the inaugural Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) as the under-19 cricketer secured Rs 3.20 lakhs in the auction.

The inaugural season of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) is set to kick off from March 6-15, 2024.

With a T10 format and matches played using tennis balls, the league aims to unearth emerging cricketing talent through its six competing teams.

Sharik Yasir, a 14-year-old 9th-grade student from Gopalpora village in Kulgam, is a wicketkeeper-batsman. During auction, he secured Rs 3.20 lakhs from the 'Bangalore Strikers,' owned by Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan.

While speaking to the news agency KNO, he said, "My father submitted my form for the ISPL. After that, I went for trials at different places where I performed well, earning myself a green ticket."

"In the auction, I was picked up by the Bangalore Strikers team for Rs 3.20 lakh, making me the youngest ever in the league," he said.

He said that he plays as a batsman-cum-wicketkeeper, and his batting prowess stood out more than his wicketkeeping during the trials. "I will strive to perform my best during matches," he added.

"Both studies and sports are crucial in today's era," he said and added that due to the lack of a playground in his village, he played more in lanes than on the ground. He urged the government to develop a playground in his village to nurture more talent from the area.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Renowned Bollywood actor, Akshay Kumar has taken a step from the silver screen to the thrilling world of sports by announcing his ownership of the Srinagar cricket team in the prestigious ISPL T10 league.

Kumar's move to enter the sports domain has sparked immense excitement among fans, marking a significant moment in his multifaceted career.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the new venture, Akshay Kumar, as per the news agency KNO, shared his eagerness to be a part of the pulsating cricket scene in Jammu & Kashmir.

Through his ownership, he aims to provide a platform for budding talents in the region, giving them a chance to showcase their skills on a grand stage.

In a post on Instagram, Kumar extended an invitation to aspiring players, offering them the opportunity of a lifetime to compete under his ownership in the upcoming ISPL T10 league.

“From cinema to the stadium! Proud to announce that I will be coming to @ispl_t10 as a Team Owner of Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir). A chance to play in my team awaits. Register Now: Link in bio,” Kumar posted on his Instagram.

As the news of Akshay Kumar's ownership of Srinagar cricket team in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) T10 league was met, locals erupted with excitement, seeing this as a golden opportunity to spotlight the city on a grand cricketing stage.

“Akshay Kumar choosing Srinagar for his team is a testament to our City's potential, as this is a chance to showcase our love for cricket and the incredible talent we have here,” said Zahid, a local from Sonawar Srinagar.

“This fantastic news will put Srinagar on the cricketing map, showcasing not just our talent but our hospitality and love for the sport as well,” said Salman from Bemina.

Similarly, the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) will be India's first-ever T10 Tennis ball cricket tournament, which will be played inside a stadium.

A total of six teams — Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Srinagar — will compete for the top honours.

The tournament will host 19 matches which will be played only in Mumbai. ISPL has announced its inaugural season, which is set to begin on March 2, 2024. ISPL T10 will close on December 20, 2023 on ispl-t10.com.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse