International commentator Nikhil Uttamchandani says the ongoing CWI Breakout League is the tonic West Indies cricket needs if the region is to make huge strides...
Vinod Narwani and cameraman Shiva Parasram met with Uttamchandani in Tarouba, where he also touched on the lack of supporters, saying cricket fans will become more aware of the league in time to come.
00:00Speaking about the breakout league, international commentator Nikhil Utamchandani says that the ongoing CWI league is the tonic that West Indies cricket needs if the region is to make huge strides.
00:10Vinod Nawani and cameraman Shiva Parasram met with Utamchandani in Teruba, where he also touched on the lack of supporters, saying that cricket fans will become more aware of the league in time to come.
00:21Yeah, big over coming up here.
00:22The inaugural CWI breakout league is taking place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Teruba, with six teams aiming to lift the coveted trophy.
00:30But not many fans have been at the venue despite the fact that the world tends to gravitate towards the abridged version of the game.
00:37One person who is not too concerned about the numbers at the venue is international cricket commentator Nikhil Utamchandani.
00:43For him, it's all about being patient and allowing the product to grow.
00:47I do think that when the tournament is more ingrained into society, where we start hearing a lot more, some of these players then go and play into the CPL.
00:56As we build year to year, I think you will start to see more people following the tournament.
01:00But from what I've seen in the crowds here, there's been a lot of youth, which is what we want, and also a lot of the passionate, self-loving cricket people finally getting to see some live action at the Brian Lara.
01:09Besides doing cricket commentary, Utamchandani often gives his views on cricket on TV and is therefore an analyst also.
01:17Based on his observation, his advice to fans is to come out and get a taste of what the future West Indian stars have to offer.
01:24I think the fact that this is the next generation of West Indies superstars, if we think about the next 10 years of West Indies cricket, it's happening here at the Breakout League.
01:32That in itself, for all West Indies and people that are passionate about cricket, they should want to see the next generation and see who is next.
01:40If we can continue to have this tournament and expose some of these younger players to more pressure, but also a bigger platform and stage at an earlier age,
01:48I think it only means well for the future of the CPL and West Indies cricket.
01:51According to Utamchandani, this tournament provides cricketers the opportunity to one day go on to even bigger things,
01:57such as the BBL, SA20 or even the IPL, just to name a few.
02:02So the question is, are overseas franchises meticulously studying what's happening in Teruba?
02:08It's an interesting time in cricket now when you think about the way technology, AI has come in, the way teams scout now, franchise teams,
02:15they'll be watching this, believe it or not, because anything that's televised, they have got data analysts,
02:20they've got data tracking on these leagues and games, players will be aware of that.
02:24And it also gives players another avenue apart from the Super 50 and 4-day to focus and enhance their skills for T20 cricket.
02:31Utamchandani is delighted that breakout players from this tournament will then be exposed to the Caribbean Premier League,
02:37which bowls off in August.
02:38We'll be meeting with you next year to potentially watch Mides Italy and two styles.
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