Visakhapatnam: Eighteen teams are in the pipeline for the title in the annual The Hindu Trophy prize money cricket tournament to be held between March 17 and 24.

Visakhapatnam Port Sports Council, achieved the distinction of winning the title three times in a row, when it won the final last year, runner-up East Coast Railway Sports Association, former winner Metro C.C. and Vizag Colts and teams of I, II, III, IV and Institutions Leagues of Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association, along with Srikakulam and Vizianagaram DCAs are taking part in the event.

Kasturi and Sons, publishers of The Hindu is sponsoring this tournament, which is one of the few tournaments of this region that are being held without a break. This is also the first cricket tournament sponsored in Andhra Pradesh by The Hindu publishers.

The Port, Zinc and Ukku stadiums are the venues. The final will be held at the Port stadium on March 24.The Sportstar Player of the Tournament award and a cash prize will be presented to the best player of the tournament and special prizes would be awarded to the best batsman, best bowler and best allrounder.

By Indian Sports News