Jamshedpur, March 18: Come April, and Indian cricket gets its very own T20 tornado in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2011.
And wanting to take the slam bang cricketing world by storm are Jharkhand’s cricketers, currently on a JPL high and fresh from the Vijay Hazare Trophy win in Indore.
This year, IPL will be the biggest yet, with 10 teams — Pune and Kochi being new editions — and 94 matches, an increase of 34 ties from the 2010 edition. No surprise that Jharkhand’s willow wielders and power pacers are raring to be a part of the high-octane action.
Southpaw Tiwary has already basked in IPL glory donning the Mumbai Indians jersey last season. This year, his state mates Ishank Jaggi and Varun Aaron are looking to make an impression.
The trio is thanking JPL for keeping them in fine form and allowing them to try innovative shots — a key component in the IPL.
“The JPL helped me improve my shots and build my temperament,” Jaggi, captaining Ranchi Rangers, told The Telegraph. The right-handed bat, who has signed for Deccan Chargers, will be off Hyderabad to attend the IPL camp beginning March 29.
Tiwary, Jharkhand Ranji and Bokaro Bulls skipper was snapped up by Royal Challengers, Bangalore for a cool Rs 7-crore-plus, said he was eager to perform well from the start. “I love playing in the IPL. But the T20 fixture in Jharkhand helped me prepare well for the big league. It’s a good start,” said the southpaw, though his JPL team crashed out.
Both were picked by their respective IPL teams — Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils — for Rs 20 lakh each.
Aaron, who emerged as domestic cricket's fastest bowler with 153.5 kmph speed against Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final versus Gujarat in Indore, is nursing a slight sprain in his right shoulder. But it’s not something that’s worrying the 21-year-old Delhi Daredevils speedster. “I'll begin training shortly at Chennai’s MRF Pace Academy,” he said.
Jaggi signed for Royals last season and Aaron was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders, but both remained on the sidelines.
They’re keeping fingers crossed for their on-pitch action.
Jaanbaaz, Shers in final fight
Our Correspondent
Ranchi, March 18: Singhbhum Shers and Jamshedpur Jaanbaaz will lock horns in the final of the maiden edition of JPL tomorrow, the outcome of two semi-final matches today at the JSCA international stadium.
In the first match, the Shers made a mincemeat of Ranchi Rangers, beating the latter by 75 runs.
Batting first, Shers piled up a huge total of 203 runs for 7 in 20 overs. Deepak Chougle continued his blistering pace to score 64 runs off 45 balls with a 93-run partnership in 53 balls with Rameez Nemat (51 runs off 24 balls). Amir Hashmi( 55 runs off 29 balls) and Kumar Deobrat (24 runs off 10 balls) put up a good show.
Rangers, clearly nervous about chasing 204 runs, crumpled in 128.
In the second, more evenly paced match, the Jaanbaaz men won by five runs against Dhanbad Diamonds. Batting first, Jaanbaaz scored 162.
