Mitsui Shoji T20 league from Apr 23; Vaas & Herath to grace it

The eight season of a local T20 league will be held here from April 23 and Sri Lankan greats Rangana Herath and Chaminda Vaas would attend its opening ceremony, it was announced Friday.

Jwala Singh, Director and Organising Secretary of the 8th season of Mitsui Shoji T20 League, said it will be a five -team affair, which will begin from April 23 and the first game will be played at the Mumbai Police Gymkhana.

While 45-year-old Vaas, who has played a staggering 111 Tests and 322 ODIs, has been a regular visitor here, 41- year-old Herath, one of the greatest left-arm spinners of his times, has accepted the invitation of the organisers for the opening ceremony.

Singh told reporters that five teams -- Bandra Heroes, Thane Marathas, Ghatkoper Jets, Mumbai Police Cityriders and Shivaji Park Worriers -- will be mentored by first-class players.

Singh said Vaas, Herath along with former India opener Wasim Jaffer will also give training to select players chosen from cricketers who will participate in the tournament.

"This year each team will play each other and the top four teams will qualify for Super League round, followed by top two teams going into the final," added Singh.

The final will be played at the Police Gymkhana on May 13 and overall prize money is between Rs 1.75 to Rs 2 lakh, Singh said.

This year the format will be on the lines of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic national T20 tournament, he said.

Mumbai coach Vinayak Samant, who shared the dais with Singh, said as a lot of Ranji and A division players are playing in the tournament and this will help others to improve their performance.

It was also announced that Samant and former Mumbai batsman Bhavin Thakkar, among others, will be mentoring the teams.