Former India and IPL fast bowler Abu Nechim has thrown his support behind the Assam Premier League (APL), calling it a significant step in nurturing the state’s young cricket talent. While attending the player auction, the Guwahati Royals pacer emphasized that this tournament offers up-and-coming players a chance to compete on a professional stage alongside seasoned veterans, providing them with invaluable exposure. Nechim highlighted the APL as a crucial pathway for cricket in Assam, creating opportunities for players who might otherwise remain in the shadows.
Speaking about the player auction, Nechim said the depth of talent in Assam had surprised even him, as he said, “The Assam Premier League is very important, it is a genuinely good platform for our juniors. We had over 270 players in the auction, and I had knowledge of only about 120 of them. That tells you the sheer depth of undiscovered talent across Assam. The league gives every one of those players a stage to be seen.”
Abu Nechim Highlights APL’s Role in Assam Cricket
Nechim’s insights hold significant value, thanks to his own path in Indian cricket. He was part of the Indian squad for the 2006 Under-19 World Cup and later carved out a domestic career with Assam. In the IPL, he donned the Mumbai Indians jersey from 2010 to 2013 and then played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru from 2014 to 2016. With that background, he firmly believes that structured tournaments like the APL can really help young players gear up for larger competitions. He also pointed to Riyan Parag’s journey from Assam cricket to becoming the captain of Rajasthan Royals and an all-rounder for the Indian team as a testament to the fact that talent from Assam can shine on the grandest stages.
The Assam Premier League is organized by the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) under the inspiring motto “Aamar Axom, Aamar Gourab” (Our Assam, Our Pride). The first edition features eight franchise teams from all over the state, creating a professional T20 setting for both emerging and seasoned players. The buzz around the competition is already palpable, with Denish Das emerging as the highest-priced marquee player at Rs 12.60 lakh during the auction. Fans can catch the tournament live on Star Sports and stream it on JioHotstar, providing Assam’s cricketers with invaluable exposure on a national level.
