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 legendary Virender Sehwag graced the upcoming tournament, which was officially launched at an event on Thursday. The DDCA announced the former India opener as the brand ambassador for the inaugural season.
“I am excited to join the Delhi Premier League as its brand ambassador. Delhi has always been close to my heart, and I believe this league will provide a fantastic platform for young and talented cricketers from the region to shine. I look forward to being a part of this exciting journey and contributing to the growth of cricket in the Capital,” Sehwag said at the event.
Meanwhile, DDCA President Rohan Jaitley also addressed the event, stating that the league will celebrate Delhi’s rich cricketing heritage.
“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,” he added.
All You Need to Know About DPL 2024
- Start Date: 17 August 2024
- Final: 8 September 2024
- Total Matches: 40
- Men’s Games: 33
- Women’s Games: 7
- No. of teams: 6
- Total Money Spent: INR 49.65 crore
- Prize Money: INR 1 Crore
- Livestream / Broadcast: JioCinema/Sports18 [Tentative]
- Franchises: Team & Owners Details
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
Internationals to be part of the league
As the DPL takes shape, international players, hailing from the national capital, will also ply their trades at the tournament. Jaitely said stars like Rishabh Pant, Navdeep Saini, and Ishant Sharma will participate in the upcoming edition as per their availability.
“Rishabh Pant, Navdeep Saini, Harshit Rana, and other Indian players will feature in the inaugural season of DPL. I had a talk with Rishabh Pant, and he has promised to participate in the league, but it only depends on his availability and national commitments. But as of now, he will be playing. Navdeep and Harshit will also feature in the league,” Jaitely said at the launch event.
Keeping the DPL Corruption-free
To keep the league and its players away from any malpractices, the DDCA is going to follow BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Code to facilitate the league smoothly. According to PTI, BCCI will deploy eight ACU officials and they will be assisted by eight more provided by the state unit.
“There will be zero tolerance with regards to corruption. The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit will be working and the BCCI guidelines regarding code of conduct will be followed,” said Jaitley at the event.
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