CricKarnataka Speaks to the man who started the KPL, Charu Sharma and he speaks out on the legacy of his dream initiative-Namma KPL. Exclusive Interview.
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| Charu Sharma |
The Indian Premier League which started in 2008 was probably the biggest revolution in T20 cricket format. It changed the whole perception of domestic T20 cricket, not only India but the whole world. Just in it's first season itself it was the household league of every cricket fan.
And back here in Karnataka there was a visionary who thought that if there is an IPL then why not a state league. And that's how Charu Sharma's dream initiative the pride of Karnataka cricket , The Karnataka Premier League was born.
Facing all odd and challenges the KPL squeezed in to become the best league in the country only next to the mighty Indian Premier League.
Today CricKarnataka Speaks to the man behind Namma KPL, and speaks of some insights of the league and everything about how this wonderful league started.
And back here in Karnataka there was a visionary who thought that if there is an IPL then why not a state league. And that's how Charu Sharma's dream initiative the pride of Karnataka cricket , The Karnataka Premier League was born.
Facing all odd and challenges the KPL squeezed in to become the best league in the country only next to the mighty Indian Premier League.
Today CricKarnataka Speaks to the man behind Namma KPL, and speaks of some insights of the league and everything about how this wonderful league started.
Charu sir, it's been a great honour speaking to you, and our first question to you is..
How did this thought of the 'Karnataka Premier League' come to you, how did it all happen?
Actually leagues have been existing for dozens of years now and its not a new thing. Coming to the Indian Premier League, I thought that if they can have a league at such big scale then there is no reason as to why a state league cannot happen.
Our motto was to make sure that young Cricketers get a chance to play under lights and get more experience in such conditions and at the same time make some amount of money out of it. So we chose owners with modest financial situation beacuse sometimes the owners spend so much and at some point time say 'no more' and that was the reason behind that, bacuse you know if owners shake then the whole system shakes. So we tried to have people who were modest and they have all taken the burden of this league.
This was going very well but in between it wobbled and the critics pulled us down, or else we would have been celebrating our 10th anniversary by now, but that's fine we have come back even stronger and we are doing well now.
How did this thought of the 'Karnataka Premier League' come to you, how did it all happen?
Actually leagues have been existing for dozens of years now and its not a new thing. Coming to the Indian Premier League, I thought that if they can have a league at such big scale then there is no reason as to why a state league cannot happen.
Our motto was to make sure that young Cricketers get a chance to play under lights and get more experience in such conditions and at the same time make some amount of money out of it. So we chose owners with modest financial situation beacuse sometimes the owners spend so much and at some point time say 'no more' and that was the reason behind that, bacuse you know if owners shake then the whole system shakes. So we tried to have people who were modest and they have all taken the burden of this league.
This was going very well but in between it wobbled and the critics pulled us down, or else we would have been celebrating our 10th anniversary by now, but that's fine we have come back even stronger and we are doing well now.
Starting a state league was a huge gamble, but you guys succeeded in doing one, so who were the other people who were supported you when you decided that karnataka should have a league of its own?
In the beginning, I made all the plans and I approached the then KSCA Secretary Brijesh Patel and he supported it and also the then President of KSCA late.Maharaja Shri Narasimhadutta Wodeyar also was very supportive.
Most importantly it was the owners and the sponsers. And it all started under their umbrella. Most of the owners still remain the same from season 1 and they have all been along with us. Their main intention wasn't to make a lot of money but to bring a change in the way people watch cricket and the surplus they got out of it was a bonus.
The KSCA realised this in the beginning itself and it has spent a lot in developing things like these.
In the beginning, I made all the plans and I approached the then KSCA Secretary Brijesh Patel and he supported it and also the then President of KSCA late.Maharaja Shri Narasimhadutta Wodeyar also was very supportive.
Most importantly it was the owners and the sponsers. And it all started under their umbrella. Most of the owners still remain the same from season 1 and they have all been along with us. Their main intention wasn't to make a lot of money but to bring a change in the way people watch cricket and the surplus they got out of it was a bonus.
The KSCA realised this in the beginning itself and it has spent a lot in developing things like these.
Players who came through the KPL have reached great heights. Many of them are playing in the IPL, National level and also International level, how proud are you?
Playing at such big levels needs good talent and Karnataka has a huge bunch of Cricketers who are very good and mature enough to perform under any situation. I still keep lecturing them to walk in the right path, and I feel extremely proud of these people.
Playing at such big levels needs good talent and Karnataka has a huge bunch of Cricketers who are very good and mature enough to perform under any situation. I still keep lecturing them to walk in the right path, and I feel extremely proud of these people.
KPL is known to introduce new things in it's league every year, a couple of years back you used a pitch camera which was fixed on the crease, do you have any such new things to implement this time.
As far as implemantation of new things are concerned, I'm not very sure of it. But this time the KSCA has bought in the Anti Corruption Bureau because we don't want people pointing at us and it will prevent all types of malpractices of the game. So overall it's going to be a well governed league.
As far as implemantation of new things are concerned, I'm not very sure of it. But this time the KSCA has bought in the Anti Corruption Bureau because we don't want people pointing at us and it will prevent all types of malpractices of the game. So overall it's going to be a well governed league.
KPL has already been a successful league and do you think there has to be something that could make it more successful?
There are 7 teams now, and I think we could increase the number of teams so that more teams so that it gives opportunity to more number of players, may be an addition of another team would also make a difference.
We also need more grounds and those grounds which have light as the matches are played at prime time. So the KSCA is working on it to spread to more parts of Karnataka and I'm sure it's going to be great in the years to come.
There are 7 teams now, and I think we could increase the number of teams so that more teams so that it gives opportunity to more number of players, may be an addition of another team would also make a difference.
We also need more grounds and those grounds which have light as the matches are played at prime time. So the KSCA is working on it to spread to more parts of Karnataka and I'm sure it's going to be great in the years to come.
Anything that you want to speak on the CricKarnataka initiative and what are your suggestions for us.
You are doing a good job, all these Karnataka boys are very good, try to make friends with them. And most importantly have patience, it's something that people lose after some time, but if you could keep it up then you will survive for long so all the best to CricKarnataka, hope to see you in a better position.
You are doing a good job, all these Karnataka boys are very good, try to make friends with them. And most importantly have patience, it's something that people lose after some time, but if you could keep it up then you will survive for long so all the best to CricKarnataka, hope to see you in a better position.
Most of us take pride in the name of Namma KPL, but not many know regarding who were the people who were behind it and Charu Sharma is one of the unsung heroes who has worked for KPL and made sure that we have such a wonderful league all together.
Thank you Charu Sharma for speaking to us and sharing things about KPL that many people who didn't know about it.
Thank you Charu Sharma for speaking to us and sharing things about KPL that many people who didn't know about it.
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