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- Atlanta Riders player hopes success of US Masters T10 could spread new format to India and elsewhere
- Cricket’s fastest game now returns to UAE from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9
DUBAI: The US Masters T10 League came to a dramatic end on Sunday as the Ben Dunk-led Texas Chargers defeated the Misbah-ul-Haq-led New York Warriors via Super Over in the final at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida.
The tournament, which was played between Atlanta Fire, California Knights, Morrisville Unity, New Jersey Triton’s, New York Warriors and Texas Chargers, took place from Aug. 18-27.
Aaron Finch, who played for the California Knights, emerged as the highest run-scorer of the tournament with 236 runs. Meanwhile, fast bowler Sohail Khan picked up the most wickets (15) in the competition.
Robin Uthappa, who played for the Atlanta Riders, said that T10 adds a lot of value to cricket: “I think T10 is here to stay. I think this version of the game is extremely entertaining for the viewer.
“Secondly, I think it opens up a different aspect of cricket that would add a lot of value to T20 cricket. So, I do hope that at some point, it gets introduced in India and the current cricketers can play this format of the game.”
The former India player also said that he would love to see one particular Indian star play the T10 format.
“I certainly would love to see the Virat Kohlis of the world playing this version of the game. Because I think it would add so much more value. I think he’s probably one of the greatest ODI players we’ve ever seen in our lives. And I think that he would discover different aspects of his own game when he plays this version of the game.”
Cricket’s fastest format provided a fascinating challenge for both batsmen and bowlers at the US Masters T10 League, with former Indian star Gautam Gambhir saying “every ball is an event.”
The T10 tournament was a version of the game which left fans around the world experiencing few lulls in the play.
“Sixty balls, every ball is an event, whether it’s for the bowlers or for the batters, and you want to try and take as many options as you can,” said Gambhir, who captained the New Jersey Triton’s.
Speaking about the success of the US Masters T10 League, Shaji Ul Mulk, chairman of T Ten Sports Management, said: “It was absolutely fantastic to witness some of the greatest cricketers in action at the inaugural US Masters T10 League. They lit up the competition and entertained many fans in the US. We look forward to coming back next year.”
Meanwhile, Ritesh Patel, CEO of SAMP Group and one of the main organizers of the US edition, said: “The T10 format is the perfect version of the game to attract new fans to the game and we were able to do that in the US. We’ll certainly see the game grow in the country in the next few years.”
Following the completion of the US Masters T10, the journey moves back to the UAE for Abu Dhabi T10 season six from Nov. 28 to Dec. 9, following which is Sri Lanka for Lanka T10 season one from Dec. 12-23.