The tournament, played exclusively among co-operative banks, has attracted 17 teams this year, one short as compared to last year. The lone drop-out being Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank who have lost most of their players owing to their internal transfers to other branches.

The title aspirants include, six time winners Suvarna Sahakari Bank, defending champions Vidya Sahakari Bank, runners-up Mahesh Sahakari Bank and former champion Rupee Bank.

The tournament to be played on a knock-out basis, will be played at three venues Deccan Gymkhana, PYC Hindu Gymkhana and Fergusson College. The format includes a 35 over-per-side match upto the quarter-finals, while the semi-finals and final will a 40 over affair, informed Vilas Ekbote, director Suvarna Sahakari Bank. The interesting aspect of this tourney, is the meet remains the only tourney other than the MCA Brihans Invitational (Sr.) Cricket League which features past and present state Ranji Trophy players. The tourney would thus serve as a platform for players to prove their mettle, prior to the West Zone Ranji Trophy meet, beginning in November.

Among the current Ranji players who would be in action in the 20-day tourney include Rahul Kanade, Indrajeet Kamthekar, Parag Sahane, Ashutosh Agashe (Suvarna Sahakari), Nikhil Dixit, Parag Chitale (Vidya Sahakari), Anirudh Oak, Avinash Jadhav (Mahesh Sahakari).

This year as part of their sportspersons recruitment programme, Suvarna Sahakari Bank have added Ranjit Khirid to their ranks. The individual prizes up for grabs include Man-of-the-Match awards on a daily basis. Among the firsts' this year is the institution of the Best Batsman and Bowler award. The tourney, as a practice every year, will kick of with an exhibition match featuring last-years winner Vidya Sahakari Bank and Select XI (comprising of players from other participating banks), at PYC on October 28.