Melbourne Renegades Champions League a Huge Success for South Asian Communities

For the first time, this tournament involved six teams comprising of players from their respective country of origin – India, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The competition aims to increase the number of South Asian cricketers who progress from recreational cricket to professional cricket in Australia and to showcase the talented South Asian players and match officials living in Victoria. It also integrates these communities by promoting different local community leagues to work together under the Harmony In Cricket Association.

There were 800 participants who registered for the tournament, with the best 50 from each nation given the opportunity to trial at the MCG nets for a spot in their country of origin side. Squads of 15 were then formed for each nation.

The tournament ran over five round robin days with the final held at the Camberwell Cricket Ground on 2 January between India and Afghanistan. India reigned supreme, with a 53 run win.

Following the final, a representative team will now play as the Melbourne Renegades Champions League Team against the Sydney Thunder Nation, a representative team from Sydney’s own multicultural league, the Thunder Nation Cup, on February 20 – 21 at Preston City Oval. The players selected for the Champions League squad include;

Susantha Pradeep, Sri Lanka, Buckley Ridges CC
Manny Singh, India, Williams Landing CC
Zaheer Hussain, Pakistan, Greenvale CC
Akshay Kodath, India, Ivanhoe CC,
Kamran Murtaza, Afghanistan, Jindvick CC
Ejaaz Alavi (Vice Captain), Sri Lanka, Fitzroy Doncaster CC
Adam Amin, Afghanistan, Richmond CC
Javid Khan, Afghanistan, Kingston Hawthorn CC
Shorye Chopra, India, Kingston Hawthorn CC
Ryan Ninan (Captain), India, Kingston Hawthorn CC
Umair Butt, Pakistan, Greenvale CC
Sunam Gautam, Nepal, Greenvale CC
Hussain Ali, Afghanistan, Narre Warren CC
Yash Pednekar, India, Richmond CC
Arvind Suresh, Analyst
Dulan Kodikara, Physio
Wayne Schultz, Fielding/Fitness
Hussain Hanif, Assistant Coach
Chris Harris, Coach

The coach of this representative side, Chris Harris, is optimistic about the future opportunities for the talented crop competing in the Champions League.

“The Renegades Champions League has shone the spotlight on the talent that lies within the Australian multicultural community. I believe the league has showcased players that are capable of going on to further Australian cricket honours,” Harris said.

The series is free to the public. You can also follow the action live on MyCricket.

Get Involved:

If you want to get involved in a community T20 cricket, visit the Harmony In Cricket Association website.

The Harmony In Cricket Association is always open to registrations for new clubs. You can register your interest for a new club here or by contacting Hussain Hanif at Hhanif@cricketvictoria.com.au