Howzat!

A GROUP of Indians passionate about cricket is set to kick off the fifth season of their self-created community league championship on Saturday, inspired by the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League (IPL), write Avinash Saxena and Melissa Nazareth.

The Abraj Premier League (APL) will see six teams – Abraj Strikers, Abraj Gladiators, Abraj Supergiants, Abraj Rocking Royals, Abraj Violets, and Abraj Daredevils – fight for the winner’s trophy in a fierce yet friendly series of matches at Water Garden City in Seef District.

Two matches will be played every Saturday until December 7, when the league takes a winter break. Play will resume on January 7 next year with the final scheduled for February 22. Each of the six teams will play a total of 10 matches, facing off twice in a home and away format. The top four teams will qualify for the next stage, with the table topper getting two chances to qualify for a spot in the final. 

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game that is played between two teams of 11 players.

The league, registered with Bahrain Cricket Federation, was founded by seven residents of Abraj Al Lulu residential complex: Abhishek Srivastava, Atul Malhotra, Ashwani Bhatia, Manish Jangid, Rohit Srivastava, Vinit Maroo and Vinod Rathi, mirroring the excitement and competitiveness of the IPL, a men’s Twenty20-format cricket league held annually in India.

“What started as a casual gathering of friends eager to play cricket in an organised manner has evolved into a six-team spectacle involving 84 amateur players,” chartered accountant Vinod told GulfWeekly.

“The Abraj Premier League’s appeal has resonated with the Indian expat community, attracting participants of all ages, as young as 15 and as old as 58,” he added.

According to Vinod, membership to the club is only open to Indian Abraj Al Lulu residents as there is a common cultural heritage that creates a sense of community.

Vinod, Vinit, Ashwani, and Manish have been joined by Ankit Bhutda, Rakesh Bhujang, Surendra Singh Jaggi and Vinay Gupta in the club’s current executive committee.

Like the IPL, the APL conducted an auction in a competitive bidding process with team captains using virtual money to purchase players to form their teams.

“Players are graded based on past performance, with newcomers starting in the lowest grade. We list them with base prices, and teams bid for their desired players within their budget. Teams must also adhere to player category limits. The highest bidder wins the player,” chartered accountant Ashwani explained.

One of the key factors behind the league’s growth has been its commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment. It has served as a platform for social interaction, cultural exchange and community building.

“We are a diverse group, hailing from all parts of India, speak different languages at home, have different religious beliefs, but what we have in common is our passion for the sport,” risk management executive Vinit noted.

The upcoming season has seen a surge in interest, with sponsors coming on board to support the tournament. Two trophies and a range of prizes are up for grabs.

“As the league’s organisers, we have made a lot of effort in fostering a positive and competitive environment, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued,” entrepreneur Manish added.

Despite challenges like Bahrain’s scorching heat, the organisers have worked tirelessly to create suitable playing conditions. Matches are played on improvised cricket grounds on vacant plots of land with artificial turf laid on a cement surface to make the pitch.

APL has helped to raise awareness of cricket as a sport in Bahrain, and the league’s success has demonstrated the potential for grassroots sports development in the kingdom, paving the way for other community-driven initiatives.

To follow the tournament, download the CricHeroes app.