Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 18: The Global Tennis Cricket League (GTCL) will conduct selection trials at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium on July 20 as part of its nationwide talent hunt across 30 cities to form six Indian teams for its upcoming tournament in Sharjah, UAE.
Addressing a press conference here, GTCL chairman Amin Pathan announced that the grand edition of the league will take place in September in Sharjah and will feature six Indian teams and four international ones from Oman, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. “The tournament will be played in a 10-over format, with matches broadcast live on major television channels,” he said.
He said that the trials in Srinagar will begin at 8:30 AM, and aspiring players can register offline at the venue. Participants must carry their own cricket bats. Selected players from across the country will be drafted into teams through a formal process, and 90 Indian players will be shortlisted for the final teams. “We want the boys from Srinagar, Kashmir, and the surrounding areas to come and do their best. They will get a chance to play in the UAE. We are doing our part globally.” He said.
Highlighting the talent in the region, he added, “There is no shortage of talent in Kashmir. I believe that some big players from this platform will be selected for the Ranji Trophy and IPL.” Pathan also assured that top-level BCCI coaches will oversee the trials in Srinagar.
The GTCL aims not only to scout cricketing talent but also to promote environmental awareness. The league will carry out plantation drives in participating cities and in Sharjah as part of its “Go Green” initiative.
Cricketers like Piyush Chawla, Munaf Patel, Mohammad Kaif, and Ajay Jadeja, as well as Bollywood personalities including Bindu Dara Singh and Shehzad Khan, are expected to participate in the league. Each team will also include a social media influencer with over 25 million followers. “There is no age limit for the trials,” Pathan said, adding that the league offers a chance for players to be recommended for IPL trials if they perform well.
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