Stage set for Challenger Series

Star players do not generally these days take part in domestic tournaments. Viewed from this angle, the Hero Honda NKP Salve Challenger Series, to be played in Chennai from February 12 to 15 is most welcome. All the leading players are participating in the three team four day competition. So much so, the organising unit, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association will have the rare privilege of having gates for the spectators. The daily tickets range from Rs 20 in the B stand to Rs 150 for a seat in the pavilion. As already announced, Sourav Ganguly will lead India Seniors while Rahul Dravid will lead India A. Sachin Tendulkar was to have led India B but expressed his reluctance to do so. The replacement captain is yet to be named.

The one day competition was launched in the 1994-95 season. India Seniors won the title and remained champions till 1997-98. The next season, India A and B were declared joint winners. Last season India Seniors regained the trophy. In the ensuing tournament, the winners will receive Rs 2.5 lakh, the runners-up Rs 1.20 lakh and the third placed team Rs 50,000. The day night matches will be played from 2.30 pm to 10.30 pm. All matches will be telecast live by Doordarshan.

The umpires for the tournament are K Hariharan, SC Cupta, SK Tarapore and S Lakshmanan. The match referee is former Karnataka batsman PR Ashokanand.