APL 2022: KS Bharat, Ricky Bhui, and Ashwin Hebbar to feature in the inaugural season

The Andra Pradesh Cricket Association is set to begin its premier domestic T20 tournament, the Andhra Premier League (APL), later today (July 6). All matches in the APL are scheduled to take place at the Dr Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

India's second-Test wicketkeeper, KS Bharat, former Under-19 star Ricky Bhui and local boy Ashwin Hebbar are all expected to play in the six-team league. Teams Uttarandhra Lions, Rayalaseema Kings, Godavari Titans, Coastal Riders, Bezawada Tigers, and Vizag Warriors represent the state's six regions.

The group stage will witness 15 matches and will have play-off games.

Visakhapatnam-born Bharat has played 63 T20 matches, including matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. In India's only warm-up game, the keeper-batsman was impressive against English County Leicestershire, scoring 70* and 43.

Bharat has been knocking on the doors of the Indian setup given his performances for Andhra in domestic cricket, where he scored 4,289 runs in 79 First-Class games.

Bhui, who has played for India in two U-19 World Cups (2014 and 2016), will add to the strong core for the Andhra domestic side for whom he smashed tons in his List-A and T20 debuts.

The 25-year-old has been appointed captain of the Tigers club and played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the 2018-19 IPL season.

Hebbar, who plays as an opener for Andhra, will represent the Warriors team as their captain this season. He has been associated with the Delhi Capitals franchise in IPL 2022.

Across 41 T20s, Hebbar has scored 1,117 runs at an average of 34.90.

More about APL 2022, the competition's opening match will be between Coastal Riders and Godavari Titans. All the teams will consist of a 20-member squad.