Andhra Premier League Season 4 kicks off with star-studded ceremony in Visakhapatnam

The much-awaited Andhra Premier League (APL) Season 4 commenced on Friday with a grand and glittering opening ceremony at the Dr YS ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium. This year’s event was scaled up significantly, drawing a host of prominent personalities and featuring live entertainment that set the tone for a high-voltage tournament.

Actor and cricket aficionado Daggubati Venkatesh, who was appointed as the brand ambassador for APL Season 4, was the highlight of the ceremony, injecting energy into the proceedings. The occasion was also marked by the presence of Union Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) president and Member of Parliament Kesineni Sivanadh (Chinni), and ACA secretary Sana Satish.

Actress Pragya Jaiswal and acclaimed music director Sricharan Pakala performed live, elevating the festive spirit and captivating the large audience.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Rammohan Naidu expressed confidence that APL Season 4 would act as a crucial platform for nurturing cricketing talent from rural parts of Andhra Pradesh. “There is no shortage of talent in the country. Tournaments like the APL provide a vital stage for young players to shine,” he said. Citing the success story of Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who progressed through the IPL ranks to represent India at the Under-19 level, he urged aspiring cricketers to make the most of the opportunity. He also extended best wishes to the seven teams participating in this edition.

ACA president Kesineni Sivanadh stated that this season’s tournament would be more expansive, featuring more teams and matches, thereby creating greater opportunities for emerging players. Highlighting local success stories, he mentioned Nitish Kumar Reddy and K. Srikar Bharat from Visakhapatnam, both of whom have represented India at higher levels. He also noted that Visakhapatnam had hosted two IPL matches this year, underlining the city’s growing prominence in Indian cricket.

Brand ambassador Daggubati Venkatesh, known for his passion for cricket, mingled with players, sharing his enthusiasm for the sport and the tournament.

The season opener saw Amaravati Royals face off against Kakinada Kings, attracting a sizable crowd including enthusiastic students and youth from various colleges, reflecting the burgeoning cricket fever in the region.

APL organisers anticipate even larger turnouts over the weekend as the tournament gathers pace.