MUMBAI: The Times Cricket Shield 'A' Division 2021-22 season is set to begin on Wednesday. The tournament is organised by the Times Group, and is entering its 91st edition. For the first time, a team will be allowed to field nine out of XI players as invitees.
"This will be a combination of scholarships, contracts and invitee players. This rule has particularly been devised for this year as this edition of the Times Shield is clashing with the Ranji Trophy, which means that many players aren't available to play for their companies. However, it is mandatory that the invitee p layers have to be from the age group of 18 to 25, and they have to be local. The idea is also to promote Mumbai's young cricketers and get them jobs," a source told TOI.
Last edition's 'B' Division champions Indian Navy Sports Control Cell and runners-up Income-Tax Sports & Recreation Club 'A' have been promoted to 'A' Division this time, which means that 10 sides, instead of the usual eight, will take part in the tournament. Since matches in the 'A' Division could not be held last season, no team has been demoted to 'B' Division. The Times Shield is the premier inter-office tournament in the city.
The details of the First Round League Matches: First round: Date: 9, 10 & 11 Feb 2022
'A' GROUP: Income-Tax Sports & Recreation Club 'A' vs DY Patil 'A' at D Y Patil, Nerul. Indian Navy Sports Control Cell vs Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd, at Dadoji Kondev, Thane
'B' GROUP: Mumbai Customs vs Indian Oil, at MCA Kandivali DY Patil 'B' vs BPC Ltd at MCA BKC
