Venkatapathy Raju

Guwahati, March 7: National selector and former Test player Venkatapathy Raju today appreciated the Sports Club of Assam’s initiative to organise the Airtel 1st invitation Twenty20 prize-money cricket tournament at Nehru Stadium.

Raju, who is here to inaugurate the tournament tomorrow, interacted with journalists this afternoon and said the matches would provide exposure to teams like Manipur, “who are going to participate in BCCI tournaments very soon”.

“It seems the Manipur team is quite spirited and has the potential to play good cricket,” Raju said, watching the Manipur XI during net practice at Nehru Stadium this afternoon.

The Manipur Cricket Association is fielding their senior state team in the tournament.

“Moreover, the local players here are talented but do not get the opportunity to play against players from outside the region,” he added.

Teams like Rajiv Sharma Academy of Delhi, Food Corporation of India, Manipur XI and Kolkata XI are participating in the meet.

FCI will have former Test player Devang Gandhi and first class players Ashish W. Zaidi and Pankaj Thakur in its ranks.

Tinsukia Railway Divisional SC will meet Silchar XI in the lung opener, followed by Manipur XI playing hosts SC Assam in the afternoon tomorrow.

Asked about the atmosphere at Nehru Stadium on the eve of the tournament, Raju said he was overwhelmed by the preparation and the sight of the youngsters from different academies practising cricket in the same ground, which was also shared by hockey and wushu players.