Andhra Premier League Season 2 Auction: 120 Players Acquired by Six Franchises in Visakhapatnam
- Visakhapatnam
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Team Hello Vizag
- August 02nd 2023
- 15614
The Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) buzzed with excitement on Tuesday as the auction for the much-awaited Andhra Premier League (APL) Season 2 took place in Visakhapatnam. With 580 players in contention, the battle of paddles was intense, and renowned auctioneer Charu Sharma skillfully oversaw the proceedings.
Following the format of the inaugural edition, six teams - Coastal Riders, Bezawada Tigers, Uttarandhra Lions, Rayalaseema Kings, Vizag Warriors, and Godavari Marlin Titans - are set to compete in the second season of APL. The auction witnessed 120 players being picked by the teams to join their ranks in a bid to claim the league title.
The event commenced with APL Governing Council's Munish Sehgal addressing the enthusiastic gathering, setting the stage for an action-packed season ahead.
In a riveting display of team investments, a total of Rs 1.8 crores were spent by the six franchises to build their squads. Amongst the highlights, Rayalaseema Kings made the most significant splurge, securing the services of Hanuma Vihari for an impressive sum of Rs 6.6 lakhs. This record-breaking purchase set the tone for the competitive league.
Drawing inspiration from the Indian Premier League (IPL), the APL introduced the Right To Match (RTM) card, allowing teams to retain key players they wanted to secure. The Godavari Marlin Titans exercised this right to retain M Dheeraj Kumar for Rs 5.2 lakhs.
In addition to the auction excitement, a few players were retained by their respective teams from the previous season. Indian cricketers Kona Srikar Bharat (Uttarandhra Lions) and Ricky Bhui (Bezawada Tigers) were amongst those retained, adding valuable experience to their squads.
Unlike the inaugural season, which solely took place in Visakhapatnam, the second edition of APL will see Kadapa co-hosting the matches. The action-packed tournament is scheduled to kick off on 16 August 2023, culminating on 27 August, promising cricket enthusiasts a thrilling experience.
To ensure cricket enthusiasts across the nation don't miss a moment of the gripping encounters, Star Sports 2, Star 2 HD, and Star Telugu will broadcast the entire season live. Additionally, for those seeking the digital experience, Fancode will serve as the official OTT platform to catch all the APL Season 2 action in real-time. With the stage set and teams ready to showcase their prowess, cricket fans eagerly anticipate the onset of a captivating Andhra Premier League Season 2.
