Delhi has played its role in strengthening Indian cricket for decades. From the late Bishen Singh Bedi to Virat Kohli, the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) has produced countless superstars who ended up being the legends of the game. Taking another step towards this direction, the national capital is set to have its own T20 competition, called the Delhi Premier League (DPL) that will see a huge pool of cricketers – both boys and girls – displaying their talents.
The Delhi Premier tournament (DPL), which will feature six men’s teams and four women’s teams, will begin play on August 17. Notable international players like Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma may be seen competing in Delhi’s debut T20 tournament.
Purani Delhi 6 has picked up Pant and Ishant. North Delhi Strikers have selected Harshit Rana, who is now traveling with the Indian team in Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, the selection of these Indian players was contingent upon their availability. The players’ ultimate availability for the Indian team will be determined by their dedication to the team. At the event, DDCA President Rohan Jaitley stated, “Rishabh has given his consent to be placed in the draft for the time being.”
“The unveiling of the DPL Trophy and the jerseys for all franchises symbolizes the start of an exciting journey. We are proud to showcase the unique identities of each team and the spirit of competition they bring to the league. This event is a celebration of Delhi’s rich cricketing heritage and a glimpse into the bright future we envision for the sport in our region,” Jaitley said.
Additionally, Jaitley gave his word that Delhi’s long-format team would continue to be the primary emphasis of DDCA. The league has been cleared by the BCCI following extensive scrutiny, he added, and there would be zero tolerance for any fraudulent practises.
Men’s Teams:
South Delhi Superstarz – Acquired by Real Force Resources Pvt Ltd for INR 8.95 crore
Purani Dilli 6 – Acquired by SISL Infotech Pvt. Ltd. for INR 8 crore
Central Delhi Kings – Acquired by Utech Developers Pvt. Ltd. for INR 8.25 crore
North Delhi Strikers – Acquired by Gupta Jee Tent Services Pvt. Ltd. for INR 8.15 crore
West Delhi Lions – Acquired by Brew Force Limited for INR 8 crore
East Delhi Riders – Acquired by Areion Finserve Pvt. Ltd. for INR 8.3 crore
The top four bidders in the men’s franchise auction also secured the women’s teams, which include:
South Delhi Superstars – Real Force Resources Pvt Ltd
Central Delhi Queens – Utech Developers Pvt. Ltd.
North Delhi Strikers – Gupta Jee Tent Services Pvt. Ltd.
East Delhi Riders – Areion Finserve Pvt. Ltd.
Classification of Players:
The inaugural edition of the tournament has a draft of 270 players from all across Delhi, including national, U-23, and U-19. The players have been classified into four categories mentioned as follows:
Category A: IPL stars/ players with international experience
Category B: Players from the current senior Delhi team
Category C: Players from Delhi’s U-19 & U-23 teams
Category D: Top Performers of the Leagues of Delhi’s Clubs
