Wankhade Becomes Costliest Player in Vidarbha Premier League Season 2 Auction The Vidarbha Premier League Season 2 auction, held on Sunday, concluded with Apoorv Wankhade emerging as the most expensive player acquired by Nagpur Heroz for Rs 8.30 lakh. The 34-year-old right-handed batter, who had a Category B base price of Rs 1.5 lakh, was the subject of a heated bidding war between Nagpur Heroz and Neco Master Blaster. Faiz Fazal, the mentor of Nagpur Heroz and a former Vidarbha Ranji Trophy-winning captain, secured Wankhade after a tense exchange with Neco Master Blaster’s captain Jitesh Sharma, who had initially raised the paddle. Wankhade, a seasoned player with experience in the Indian Premier League, having previously represented Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, was praised by Faiz Fazal for his destructive batting abilities. Fazal expressed satisfaction with the squad he assembled, highlighting that acquiring Umesh Yadav at his base price of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rajneesh Gurbani for Rs 3.20 lakh helped the team save costs. He emphasized that while auctions rarely yield all desired players, the Nagpur Heroz squad now boasts a strong bowling line-up and the addition of Wankhade. Jitesh Sharma, representing Neco Master Blaster, acknowledged the competition for Wankhade but expressed contentment with his team’s acquisition of Vaibhav Chandekar, a hard-hitting batter purchased for Rs 4.40 lakh. Both teams emphasized their strategic approaches to the auction, balancing high-value signings with cost-effective choices. The auction also saw intense bidding for other players. Vishesh Ram Tiwari, a 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Category B with a base price of Rs 1.5 lakh, was snapped up by Orange Tigers for Rs 7 lakh after a fierce contest with Bharat Rangers.#jitesh_sharma #faiz_fazal #apoorv_wankhade #nagpur_herorz #neco_master_blaster
Faiz Fazal’s Biography ‘55* Unbeaten’ Launched in Nagpur Nagpur: The biography of Vidarbha cricketer Faiz Fazal, titled "Faiz Fazal: 55* Unbeaten," was launched at a private event held at his residence in Mahdibagh Colony on March 22. Authored by his wife, Tarana Fazal, the book chronicles his over two-decade-long first-class career, emphasizing his dedication, challenges, and perseverance beyond the cricket field. The event attracted notable attendees, including Maulana Amiruddin Malak Saheb, NMC commissioner Vipin Itankar, retired Bombay high court justice Zaka Haq, and former India cricketer Murali Kartik. Messages of support were also received from prominent figures like Rahul Dravid, Robin Uthappa, Wasim Jaffer, and Karn Sharma. City-based cricketers such as Akshay Wakhare and Amit Paunikar were present at the gathering, where Fazal shared personal insights into his journey, resonating emotionally with the audience. The book, published by Vishwakarma Publications, is now available online and aims to inspire young athletes by highlighting Fazal’s resilience and achievements. The publication underscores Fazal’s transition from early struggles to becoming a respected player, capturing moments of triumph and adversity. His narrative reflects the broader challenges faced by athletes in balancing professional commitments with personal growth. The event also served as a platform to celebrate his contributions to cricket, with attendees acknowledging his impact on the sport and his community. Fazal’s story is presented as a testament to perseverance, with the book detailing his journey from an aspiring player to a seasoned cricketer. The title "55* Unbeaten" symbolizes his record of scoring 55 runs in a single innings without being dismissed, a milestone that highlights his skill and determination.#faiz_fazal #tarana_fazal #mohdibagh_colony #vishwakarma_publications #murali_kartik
