What is the 'Future Challengers' program ?

'Future Challengers', is a chance to join the Royal Challengers as a team player which involves a talent screening process to select a future twenty20 star. The initiative looks to unearth cricketing talent, and test an aspiring player to determine whether he is worthy of a development squad contract. Apply now

How do you become a Future Challenger ?

Send your resume, cricketing credentials, as well as your current level of cricket representation to the RC team officials* at iwanttoplay@royalchallengers.com. The Team Management screens through the applications on a weekly basis, and shortlist a few boys for a trial net session.

Our first trial session

The first such trial took place on the 3rd of March, 2010, where 15 selected boys were invited to the KSCA, to have a net session under the watchful eyes of Head Coach Ray Jennings, Assistant Coach Sanath Kumar and Development Squad Coach Rajesh Kamath. To the delight of the 15 selected boys, Skipper Anil Kumble showed up as well, and offered a few tips to the aspirants.

Shortlisted boys in Future Challengers trial session
	Gaurav Bhandari		MV Venkatesh		Buddhadev Mangaldas		Ashraf Siddique		Dhruv Singh
	Ramu Nair		Jyotish Mandya		Vignesh Sundar		Nilesh Dongre		D Eklavya
	Bhanu Nehra		C Ramesh		Ojas Mahatre		Mohammad Shabaz		Prateek Kar

The 15 boys went through a 2 hour net session, where every player had the chance to bat and bowl. Ray Jennings was at the nets constantly guiding and offering advice to all the boys. After the net session, the boys also had a fitness program, under Conditioning Coach Shankar Basu. This was a unique experience for the boys, as they underwent a modern fitness training program, which gave most of them a fair assessment of their current fitness levels, and areas they need to improve on to play at the highest level.

Unfortunately, none of the 15 boys were good enough for consideration as a Royal Challengers development player, however, they were all extremely happy with the opportunity to perform in front of Ray Jennings and Anil Kumble, and left the trials richer for the experience.
Royal Challengers wishes these boys the very best in their cricketing careers, and hope they continue to be loyal fans of the franchise for many years to come.