Inaugural Future Star Under-15 Championship Kicks Off in Ghaziabad

Future Star Under-15 Championship Launch

The Future Star Under-15 Championship is set to commence on Wednesday, June 24, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium located in Ghaziabad. This T20 tournament will feature eight franchises from various Indian cities, culminating in the final match scheduled for July 1. The event is sponsored by the Krishna Apra Group, with all matches available for live streaming on FanCode and YouTube via Sports Live.

A Platform for Young Talent

"Talent is abundant at this age; however, these young players often lack a proper platform and the accompanying pressure. When placed in a franchise team and broadcasted live, a 14-year-old begins to perceive their game differently. I am pleased to support an initiative that provides them with this opportunity early on," stated Aakash Chopra, a supporter of the championship.

Tournament Structure and Player Selection

The teams were formed through open trials and a player auction, where franchises finalized their rosters and revealed their jerseys. The eight teams are split into two groups of four: Group A includes Bahadurgarh Royals, Gurugram Vipers, Meerut Spartans, and Noida Blaze, while Group B consists of Sonipat Kings, Jayqoo Panthers Faridabad, Flying Fire Delhi Chargers, and Karim Capital Chargers.

Bidding for top players reached a ceiling of 15,000 points, with four of the five highest bids hitting this limit. Devesh Bhadola was the most sought-after player, joining Jayqoo Panthers Faridabad for 15,000 points. In cases of tied bids, a wheel spin determined the winning team. The top five bids are detailed in the annexure.

Match Schedule and Progression

Each team will compete in three league matches within their group from June 24 to June 29. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals on June 30, where the Group A champion will face the Group B runner-up, and vice versa. The winners will then compete in the grand final on July 1.

Matches will be held as double-headers in the afternoon and evening, with the first game starting at 3:00 PM each day.

Vision and Support for Young Cricketers

"I was once a talented player at 15, and I believe young cricketers deserve greater opportunities to advance. This championship is designed with that vision in mind. I aimed to provide these boys with a solid platform, and now they have one," remarked Subhash Rajput, the chief organizer of the Future Star Championship.

"We are committed to the future of our country, which is reinforced by its sports infrastructure. As a real estate company, we are excited to support a tournament for young champions that will influence the future of cricket in the years to come," added Manish Gupta from Krishna Apra Group.

In addition to the title sponsor, the championship receives support from Boldfit, TenXU, Groundwale, Royal Nivas, NeuroSport AI, and Red Rock.

Kickoff Match Details

The championship will begin on June 24 with the Bahadurgarh Royals facing the Gurugram Vipers at 3:00 PM, followed by the Flying Fire Delhi Chargers taking on the Karim Capital Chargers in the evening.

Event Duration

The Future Star Under-15 Championship will take place from June 24 to July 1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Ghaziabad.