Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Bhiwandi pacer Vivek Shelar credits ISPL success for Maharashtra selection
The 26-year-old fast bowler from Bhiwandi earned a maiden call-up after taking nine wickets in his first ISPL season.
Vivek Shelar has been picked in Maharashtra's squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He credits his selection to his ISPL performances, including nine wickets and a 145.2 kph delivery.
Key takeaways
- Vivek Shelar, a 26-year-old pacer from Bhiwandi, earned a maiden call-up to Maharashtra's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad
- He took nine wickets for Tiigers of Kolkata in his debut ISPL season, including a hat-trick in the eliminator
- Shelar clocked 145.2 kph during the ISPL tournament
- The ISPL Season 4 auctions are set for Mumbai on November 15
- Maharashtra's squad includes Ruturaj Gaikwad and Prithvi Shaw
Vivek Shelar has earned a maiden call-up to Maharashtra's squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 26-year-old fast bowler from Bhiwandi credited his selection to his performances in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), India's pioneering tennis ball T10 tournament.
Shelar's ISPL breakthrough
Shelar is the fastest bowler in the ISPL. Representing Tiigers of Kolkata in his maiden ISPL season, he took nine wickets, including a hat-trick in the eliminator. The team is co-owned by Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sourav Ganguly. Shelar clocked a speed of 145.2 kph during the tournament.
Pathway to Maharashtra
Shelar said he was called up to practise during Rajasthan Royals' trials only because of his ISPL performances, and that selectors backed him after watching his speeds.
He will now play alongside Indian stars including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Prithvi Shaw in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, a domestic Twenty20 championship in India organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and named after former Test cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali.
What happens next
Shelar said his first goal is to help Maharashtra win, and his second goal as a bowler is to win the Best Bowler award. He hopes to get selected for the IPL and eventually represent India.
The ISPL Season 4 auctions are scheduled to take place in Mumbai on November 15, and Shelar is preparing for a busy season ahead with both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the next ISPL season set to kick off next month.
ISPL's growing role
Shelar noted that the ISPL used to stream on YouTube but is now available on JioHotstar, allowing his whole family to watch him on TV. Other cricketers such as Abhishek Dalhor and Irfan Umair also began their journeys through the ISPL before earning higher-level opportunities.
The league has become a sustainable platform for tennis-ball cricketers to earn their livelihoods and showcase their talent, providing financial support that has helped players access better practice facilities and training environments.
Vivek Shelar's ISPL debut season figures
Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
Age | 26 |
Wickets | 9 |
Fastest delivery | 145.2 kph |
Notable feat | Hat-trick in eliminator |
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