KPL 2016: Hubli Tigers bat for vanishing pugmarks

The fifth edition of the KPL powered by Cycle Pure Agarbathies got underway at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stadium in Rajnagar last week amid much fanfare.

One of the eight franchises, Hubli Tigers, don their trademark blue and yellow jersey, but were seen wearing a different shade in Tuesday’s match against Bellary Tuskers.

The reason behind the change of attire is both, inspiring as well as well-timed. It is a part of an initiative to create awareness about the decline in the number of tigers in the country. The Sushil Jindal-drafted Hubli Tigers hope to use the KPL and the platform of India’s single most popular sport, to reach out to the common masses and draw attention to the issue.

Tiger population in India has forever been a matter of serious concern among wildlife enthusiasts and environmentalists. The destruction of forests and a slew of undetected instances of poaching pose a genuine threat to the already dwindling number of tigers.

In a nation that leads the list of tiger population countries, with an estimated population of 2226, the vanishing pugmarks should raise questions about the safety of the ‘endangered’ species.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the number of wild tigers across the world has come down to a mere 3,200 from a staggering 100,000 tigers a hundred years ago. These figures suggest that now might be a really good time to bat for this noble cause.

Last year, Hubli Tigers adopted a tiger at the Mysore Zoo. Here’s hoping that this year the Tigers ace this idea too.

All matches of the KPL 2016 will be telecast live and exclusive on Sony ESPN SD and Sony ESPN HD Channels.