With 6 teams, Jharkhand T20 League to kick off on Sep 15

Ranchi: The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) is gearing up to host the first tournament in the country in nearly six months from September 15. The IPL-styled T20 series — with six teams fro zones of the state — will be held at at the JSCA International Stadium Complex without spectators, but it will be telecast live across the country. The Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) has given its approval for the tournament after the state government agreed to JSCA’s proposal last month.
JSCA secretary Sanjay Sahay said as many as 100 cricketers from Jharkhand will take part in the tournament. “The Jharkhand T20 League will have six teams representing different zones of the state. Ranchi Raiders, Dumka Daredevils, Dhanbad Dynamos, Singhbhum Strikers, Jamshedpur Jugglers, and Bokaro Blasters will play 33 matches over 17 days. Only players registered/affiliated to JSCA will be part of these teams and there will be no team owners or franchises,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, all the players and sports officials will stay at the stadium from September till October 2, when the tournament is scheduled to end. “Before entering the stadium, everybody will be tested for Covid-19,” a JSCA official said. Sahay said work for hosting the league have begun at the ground and arrangements for accommodating the cricketers, sports officials are being made.
He added that JSCA will script history by hosting the first live cricket tournament following the lockdown in March and they have tied up with TCM Sports for its live coverage. “TCM Sports will be responsible for all the commercial rights, end-to-end operations, management of the league and live coverage related to the tournament,” he said.
JSCA president Nafees Akthar Khan said they plan to make their home-grown league into an annual affair. “The state government’s decision to allow us to host this tournament will kickstart other sporting activities in Jharkhand. We will abide by all the safety norms while hosting the tournament.”