Rajasthan Royals to begin grassroots programme

The grassroots programme will begin in Jaipur from October 11 where players from the age group of 16 to 19 will be selected.

Fans during match forty three of the Vivo Indian Premier League 2018 (IPL 2018) between the Rajasthan Royals and the Chennai Super Kings held at the The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on the 11th May 2018. Photo by: Arjun Singh /SPORTZPICS for BCCI

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Rajasthan Royals, will launch its first grassroots programme ‘Royal Colts’ to bring out young talents and give them an opportunity to shine.

The programme will begin in Jaipur from October 11 where players from the age group of 16 to 19 will be selected.

“The idea is to give the youngsters a platform to show their talents,” Royals’ vice-president, Rajeev Khanna, told  Sportstar .

The franchise’s head of cricket, Zubin Bharucha, said: “We are passionate about developing talent. Since the start of the IPL, we have invested in youth and subsequently launched many players onto the international stage.”

The panel of scouts, headed by Zubin Bharucha, includes Royals coaches Amol Mazumdar and Sairaj Bahutule along with couple of local selectors who will shortlist aspiring players from a pool of registered candidates.

The final Colts team of 16 players get to compete with junior teams in India and from around the world.