Guwahati: Cricket fans in the Northeast may get to witness the first Indian Premier League (IPL) team of the region. Assam Cricket Board (ACB) secretary, Devajit Lon Saikia had stated that the Assam state cricket board is planning to introduce a cricket franchise from Guwahati.
The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) is mulling for a Guwahati-based team in the upcoming season of IPL. The proposal will be discussed in the forthcoming meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The Assam Cricket Association at the upcoming annual general meeting of the BCCI had made a move to form the first IPL team of the region where IPL authorities planned for the league's expansion with more teams. There is speculation of Ahmedabad being the newest addition to the league.
The Assam Cricket Association during a function had laid the foundation stone of a clubhouse called 91 Yards Club. Similarly, a training program called 'Pay and Play Scheme' of the State Cricket Academy had been launched too.
Former Ranji Trophy cricketer Badal Thakur was also present on the occasion.
The Assam Cricket Association was formed 72 years ago in 1948. It was affiliated to the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 1960.
The current office of the Assam Cricket Association is at the ACA Stadium at Barsapara in Guwahati.
In the year 2009-10, Assam had topped the plate group of Ranji Trophy and subsequently progressed to the Super League. However, in the year 2010-11 season, it ended up at the bottom of its group in the Super League.
In was again promoted to Group A level of Ranji Trophy in 2014-15.
The foundation stone of the Barsapara Cricket Stadium was laid by Late Tarun Gogoi, the former Chief Minister of Assam in June 2004. He had also laid the foundation stone of the clubhouse and the stand of the stadium in July 2007 in the presence of the Board of Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah.