HP cricketers struggle to make the IPL cut

Himachal Pradesh cricketers are struggling to get on to the Indian Premier League (IPL) bandwagon. Out of the eight state cricketers, who were in the auction pool this time, only one player – Vaibhav Arora – found a buyer. The right-arm medium pacer was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 1.80 crore. The IPL franchises showed no interest in other seven players in the pool.

Considering Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has created world class infrastructure over the last decade or so, the near absence of the state cricketers in IPL is surprising.

According to Anuj Pal Das, as senior coach of the state, the biggest hurdle in the way of Himachal cricketers making it to the cash-rich league is probably the absence of a T20 premier league in the state. “Most of the states have started their T20 premier leagues. The franchisee talent scouts keep an eye on these leagues to spot an upcoming talent. In Himachal, we do not have such a league yet and that’s the biggest reason why our players fail to catch the eye of the IPL scouts,” he said.

HPCA Secretary Avnish Parmar agrees. “These leagues are broadcast live, which makes it easier for the talent scouts to gauge the potential of the player and track their performances,” said Parmar. “Considering the importance of these leagues in the IPL selection, the HPCA too is planning to start a T20 premier league as soon as we can,” said Parmar.

The age factor also probably went against the Himachal cricketers in the IPL auction as most of them are closing in on 30 or are beyond 30. Incidentally, the state teams have been doing reasonably well in the BCCI’s limited-overs cricket tournament. “We finished runners-up in T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy two years back, and won the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021-22,” he said.

Meanwhile, women cricketers from the state are performing really well. In the last decade, four Himachal girls have represented India and are doing well in Women Premier Leagues as well. “A few more of our girls are pushing for a place in the Women Premier League,” said Parmar.