Latest news with #SujayKrishnaRangaRao
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Union Aviation Minister, Victory Venkatesh to flag off APL Season-4
Visakhapatnam: All arrangements are in place for the Andhra Premier League (APL) Season-4, said APL governing council chairman RV Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao. Briefing the media here on Thursday, he informed that Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu and actor 'Victory' Venkatesh will be the chief guests at the opening ceremony of APL Season-4 scheduled on August 8. The governing council chairman thanked Venkatesh for his involvement as the brand ambassador for APL Season-4. Along with actor Pragya Jaiswal's dance performance, there will be a live music performance by young music director Sricharan Pakala. Apart from these, there will be laser and drone shows at the stadium, Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao informed. Kakinada Kings will face Amaravati Royals in the first match of the APL Season-4, Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao said. The matches will be broadcast live in English on Sony Sports 4 and in Telugu on Sony Sports 5, he informed. He also said that live streaming will be available on the OTT platform FanCode. Further, the governing council chairman said that while only six teams played in the previous APL seasons, this time, one more team has been given a chance with an intention of providing an opportunity to a few more players. About 21 league matches and four play-offs and a total of 25 matches will be played as part of the season, Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao added. All matches will be played at the Dr. YSR ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, he said. With an intention of organising APL Season-4 in a professional manner, this time the decision review system (DRS) system is being implemented. To encourage players, the prize money for the winner has been increased to Rs. 35 lakh and the runner-up will be given Rs 20 lakh. Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao informed that the entry to watch these matches is free for the people of Visakhapatnam. He advised that the spectators coming to watch the matches in the stadium should come from gate no.15. Vijayawada Sun Shiners, Royal of Rayalaseema, Simhadri Vizag Lions, Tungabhadra Warriors, Amaravati Royals, Kakinada Kings and Bhimavaram Bulls form part of the APL Season-4 teams. During the meeting, the APL Season-4 anthem song composed by music director Sricharan Pakala was released by Andhra Cricket Association treasurer Dandamudi Srinivasa Rao. Later, the trophy was unveiled by the guests at the beach road. In the meeting, Andhra Cricket Association COO Girish Dongre, ACA - VDCA Stadium In-charge JKM Raju and ACA game development department general manager MS Kumar were present.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
APL-4 Set to Kick Off in Visakhapatnam
The Andhra Premier League (APL) is ready to launch its fourth edition, with the inaugural ceremony scheduled for Friday at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam. Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao, the Chairman of APL, announced that the event will feature seven competing teams. Union Minister Rammohan Naidu will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony, while renowned film actor Venkatesh serves as the league's brand ambassador. In an exciting development, the winner of the tournament will take home a cash prize of Rs. 35 lakhs, with the runner-up receiving Rs. 25 lakhs. Rao highlighted the inclusion of under-16 players, emphasising that promising talents showcased during the league may have bright prospects in the future. Notably, selectors from the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be present to scout for talent throughout the matches. The tournament will also implement the Decision Review System (DRS) for the first time. Entry to the matches will be free, and they will be broadcast live on Sony Sports. Competing teams this season include Simhadri Vizag, Tungabhadra Warriors, Royals of Rayalaseema, Kakinada Kings, Vijayawada Sunshine, Bhimavaram Bulls, and Amaravati Royals.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
APL Season 4 auction: 520 players to go under the hammer on July 14
The much-awaited fourth season of the Andhra Premier League (APL) is set to be organised from August 8 to 24. With the addition of a seventh team and an expanded match schedule, this season promises to be the biggest ever, members of the APL Governing Council said. They also announced that a grand auction event had been scheduled for July 14. Addressing the media at the Dr YSR ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, APL Governing Council chairman Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao said that this year's tournament would be bigger and better. The response to season 4 of APL has been overwhelming, and it led to the inclusion of more teams and players, he said. 'Last year, we had 430 players in the auction pool. This year, that number has increased to 520. We have also raised the number of matches to 25, including four playoffs. Last year, it was just 15,' Mr. Ranga Rao said. All matches of the season 4 will be played at Dr. YSR ACA VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam. However, plans are afoot to host matches across regions from next season onwards. Referring to the auction of players, Mr. Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao said Navneet Krishna has been appointed as the official auctioneer. Each team has been allocated an auction purse of ₹35 lakh, and franchises will bid for 18 to 20 players. In a move aimed at nurturing the young talent, Mr. Ranga Rao said each franchise had been mandated to sign at least two Under-19 players. He cited the example of Vaibhav Suryavamshi, a promising U-19 player, who was recently part of the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. ACA Secretary S. Sathish Babu said that 520 players had registered for the auction. These players have been divided into four categories: nine in the Marquee set, 21 in Grade A, 112 in Grade B, and 378 in Grade C. Additionally, 104 Under-19 players are included in the overall pool, he said. Stars in teams Eight players have already been retained by the franchises ahead of the auction. Hanuma Vihari has been retained by Amaravati Royals, Ashwin Hebbar by Vijayawada SunShiners, and Shaik Rasheed by Royals of Rayalaseema. Tungabhadra Warriors have retained Ch Stephen and K.V. Sasikanth, while Simhadri Vizag Lions have kept Ricky Bhui. Kakinada Kings have retained K.S. Bharat, and Bhimavaram Bulls have held on to K. Nitish Kumar Reddy. Among the marquee players still available for bidding are Pyla Avinash, P.V. Satyanarayana Raju, and T. Vijay, he said. Mr. Sathish Babu reiterated the ACA's commitment to transparency, professionalism, and honing talent. He revealed plans to set up fan parks in selected cities to strengthen local engagement. IPL scouts Highlighting the broader vision of the tournament, Mr. Ranga Rao said the APL aims to identify, nurture, and promote local talent to help them progress to the national level. He confirmed that IPL scouts will be invited again this year, offering players an opportunity to impress and potentially be picked up by IPL franchises. Meanwhile, APL Council members confirmed that discussions are on with multiple broadcasters regarding the live telecast of the matches.
Hans India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Seven teams to compete in APL Season 4
Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Premier League (APL) is gearing up for another edition as Season 4 drew an encouraging response from franchisees across the State. From six teams in the previous edition, this year, the league is poised to scale new heights as it is featuring seven teams, a strong indicator of the league's surging popularity in the domestic cricket circuit. Organised by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) and sanctioned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the APL steadily evolved since its inception in 2022, emerging as a premier T20 franchise tournament in Andhra Pradesh. Franchises representing all the three regions of the State stepped up with renewed enthusiasm. From the south zone, teams include RK Sports, Akshara Enterprises India Pvt. Ltd., and Vijetha Super Market Pvt. Ltd, the Central Zone is represented by Aparna Marine Exports and Mythri Movie Makers, and the North Zone features Marlin Global Energy Pvt. Ltd. and Steel Exchange India Ltd. The commencement date of the tournament will be announced shortly. In a commendable initiative, the APL governing council has announced that revenues from Season 4 will be directed towards the development of grassroots cricket with special emphasis would be laid on supporting young boys and girls across the State. With excitement mounting among fans and stakeholders alike, APL Season 4 promises to be a vibrant exhibition of local talent, offering a vital platform for aspiring cricketers in Andhra Pradesh to shine on a competitive stage. Speaking on the occasion, chairman, Governing Council, APL Sujay Krishna Ranga Rao said, 'A new era begins. We welcome our franchise teams to a league built on dreams, grit and glory.' Honorary president of ACA Kesineni Sivanath mentioned that a bold chapter begins with the arrival of the franchise teams as it marks the rise of a new cricketing spirit in Andhra Pradesh. 'Together, we are not just building a league but also crafting a legacy as the Andhra Premier League is poised to unite communities, ignite dreams and empower future champions.' Honorary secretary of ACA Sana Sathish Babu stated that the enthusiasm and professionalism shown by each franchise is a reflection of the bright future ahead.
