Author: Raghav Singh

Purvanchal Panthers delivered their most complete performance of the season, defeating Brij Stars 48–35 in the opening match of the day at the Noida Indoor Stadium in Season 2 of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) on Wednesday.

Both teams started strongly with efficient raiding, keeping the contest evenly poised in the early stages. The critical moment of the first half arrived when Purvanchal Panthers inflicted an all-out on Brij Stars, helping them gain momentum. Raider Hritik Rathi played a vital role in the attack, allowing Purvanchal to head into halftime with a five-point lead.

In the second half, Purvanchal tightened their defense, showcasing their strongest defensive performance of the season. An early all-out allowed them to extend their advantage, while Brij Stars struggled to stabilize defensively.

In the last five minutes, Purvanchal’s raider Bhanu Pratap executed a decisive super raid, collecting three points and widening the gap further. Purvanchal followed this up by inflicting another all-out, capitalizing on Brij Stars’ defensive lapses in the second half to comfortably secure the win.

This victory marked Purvanchal Panthers’ second win of UPKL Season 2, highlighted by disciplined defense and timely raiding.

Later in the day, matches featured Gazab Ghaziabad against Sangam Challengers, Kanpur Warriors facing Yamuna Yoddhas, and JD Noida Ninjas going up against Aligarh Tigers.

Day 6 of UPKL Season 2 showcased a mix of drama and dominance, highlighted by a historic first-ever tie-breaker as Awadh Ramdoots edged Ganga Kings of Mirzapur 44–38 after the scores were locked at 34–34. Awadh held a slim halftime lead and survived a strong comeback from Ganga, which included a second-half all-out. They displayed superior composure in the tie-breaker, scoring 10 points, including a decisive super raid.

In the fourth match, Kashi Kings maintained their unbeaten run with a 45–39 victory over Brij Stars. They overcame a first-half deficit through an early second-half all-out and a momentum-shifting four-point super raid by young Gaurav Kumar, despite a strong individual effort from Brij Stars’ Vishal Nirwal.

The day concluded with Sangam Challengers delivering a one-sided 48–23 win over Purvanchal Panthers. Two second-half all-outs and a Super 10 by Pankaj Thakur helped Sangam assert complete control, closing out Day 6 in dominant fashion.

Delhi suffered a crushing 79-run defeat against Odisha in their 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group D match at the Alur Cricket Ground on Wednesday. In other matches, Saurashtra, Railways, and Haryana also secured significant wins within the same group.

Match Highlights

Delhi’s captain and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant continued to struggle with his form, scoring only 24 runs off 28 balls. The team, renowned for its batting prowess, was all out for just 193 in 43.3 overs while chasing a target of 273. Odisha’s Debabrata Pradhan was impressive with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs, while Sambit Baral also picked up three wickets for 34 runs.

Biplab Samantray anchored Odisha’s innings with a solid 72 off 74 balls, helping his team recover after losing three wickets before reaching 100. Despite off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen’s remarkable performance of 4 wickets for 27 runs in 10 overs, Delhi struggled to contain lower-order contributions from Odisha.

Delhi’s top order faltered early, losing openers Priyansh Arya and Sarthak Ranjan for single-digit scores, leaving the team at 6/2. Pant’s exit in the 11th over had them reeling at 50/3, which soon deteriorated to 55/5. While Harsh Tyagi (43) and Shokeen (32) attempted to stabilize the innings, Delhi ultimately faced their first loss of the tournament.

Other Matches

Saurashtra emerged victorious with a comfortable 74-run win over Andhra. Ankur Panwar was named Player of the Match for his decisive five-wicket haul. Batting first, Saurashtra set a target of 254/7 in 50 overs, led by Ruchit Ahir, who scored a brisk 76 off 54 balls with seven fours and two sixes.

Chirag Jani provided additional support with a steady 69 off 96 balls, while Harvik Desai contributed 61 off 81 deliveries. For Andhra, Satyanarayana Raju took 3 wickets for 45 runs in his 10 overs, with K S Raju supporting with another two wickets. In response, Andhra’s batting faltered, getting bowled out for 180 in 47.2 overs.

Ankur Panwar dismantled the Andhra lineup, finishing with figures of 5-27 in 10 overs, including two maidens. C. R. Nageshwar top-scored for his team with 33 runs, while Nithish Kumar Reddy, K. S. Raju, and M. Hemanth Reddy contributed 30, 30, and 29 runs respectively, but lacked substantial innings.

Brief Scores

• Odisha 272/8 in 50 overs (Biplab Samantray 72; Hrithik Shokeen 4-27) beat Delhi 193 all out in 42.3 overs (Harsh Tyagi 43; Debabrata Pradhan 3-28) by 79 runs.
• Saurashtra 254/7 in 50 overs (Ruchit Ahir 76; Satyanarayana Raju 3-45) beat Andhra 180 all out in 47.2 overs (C. R. Nageshwar 33; Ankur Panwar 5-27) by 74 runs.
• Gujarat 283 all out in 47.4 overs (Jaymeet Patel 75; Raj Choudhary 3-57) lost to Railways 287/6 in 48 overs (Sahab Yuvraj 91 not out; Chintan Gaja 2-35) by four wickets.
• Services 271/8 in 50 overs (Irfan Ali 103 not out; Anshul Kamboj 4-43) lost to Haryana 275/3 in 43.1 overs (Ankit Kumar 144 not out; Nitin Yadav 2/35) by seven wickets.

Out-of-favour India batter Sarfaraz Khan smashed a blistering 157 off 75 balls as Mumbai defeated Goa by 87 runs in an Elite Group C clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya ground on Wednesday.

Sarfaraz, 27, reached his third List A century in just 56 deliveries. His explosive knock featured nine fours and 14 sixes, dismantling Goa’s bowling attack. Mumbai’s middle order capitalised on the conditions after Goa elected to field first.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, returning from acute gastroenteritis, and Musheer Khan added 70 runs for the second wicket before Jaiswal fell for 46. Brothers Sarfaraz and Musheer then combined for a 93-run third-wicket partnership before Sarfaraz cut loose. He scored 104 runs off 46 balls against spinners Misal and Lalit Yadav, while captain Shardul Thakur plundered 26 runs in a single over from Shubham Tari.

Hardik Tamore’s quickfire 53 off 28 balls and Tanush Kotian’s unbeaten 23 off 12 deliveries propelled Mumbai to their second-highest List A total. Chasing 445, Goa stumbled early after openers Arjun Tendulkar and Kashyap Bakle failed to build on their starts.

Abhinav Tejrana fought back with a century off 70 balls, adding 117 runs with Lalit for the fifth wicket. Captain Deepraj Gaonkar’s explosive 70 off 28 balls delayed the inevitable, but Goa were eventually bowled out for 357, giving Mumbai their fourth straight win in the tournament.

Meanwhile, Punjab registered a convincing six-wicket victory over Himachal Pradesh, thanks to Sukhdeep Bajwa’s four-wicket haul and fifties from Prabhsimran Singh and Anmolpreet Singh. Bajwa’s four wickets helped Punjab restrict Himachal Pradesh to 227, with Naman Dhir chipping in by taking two scalps.

In reply, Punjab’s batsmen made light work of the target. Prabhsimran top-scored with 84, while Anmolpreet contributed a steady 72. Dhir then completed an all-round performance by remaining unbeaten on 50 to guide Punjab home with six wickets in hand.

On the other hand, Maharashtra delivered a commanding all-round performance to register a comprehensive 129-run victory over Uttarakhand. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad led from the front with a brilliant 124, while Satyajeet Bachhav provided crucial support with a 45-ball 56, and Ramakrishna Ghosh added finishing touches with a blistering 47 off 31 deliveries.

Uttarakhand’s chase never gained momentum as Maharashtra’s bowlers dominated proceedings. Bachhav followed up his batting heroics with three wickets, while Ramakrishna Ghosh contributed with two crucial scalps, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar also took three wickets to bowl out Uttarakhand for 202.

Brief scores:

• Mumbai 444/8 in 50 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 157, Musheer Khan 60; Darshan Misal 3-98) beat Goa 357/9 in 50 overs (Abhinav Tejrana 100, Deepraj Gaonkar 70; Shardul Thakur 3-20) by 87 runs.

• Maharashtra 331/7 in 50 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 124, Satyajeet Bachhav 56; Devendra Bora 3-81) beat Uttarakhand 202 in 43.4 overs (Saurabh Rawat 56; Satyajeet Bachhav 3-22) by 129 runs.

• Himachal Pradesh 221 in 47.2 overs (Pukhraj Mann 76, Mridul Surroch 58; Sukhdeep Bajwa 4-17) lost to Punjab 223/4 in 36.1 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 84, Anmolpreet Singh 72; Rohit Kumar 2-32) by six wickets.

• Chhattisgarh 355/3 in 50 overs (Vikalp Tiwari 112 not out, Ayush Pandey 86; Mohammed Saptulla 1-24) beat Sikkim 126 all out in 34 overs (Gurinder Singh 47, Palzor Tamang 43; Dev Aditya Singh 4-25, Ajay Mandal 4-40) by 229 runs.

Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha, Bengal, and Baroda showcased their dominance in round four of the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, each securing strong victories to enhance their standing in the tournament.

Uttar Pradesh vs. Assam

At Niranjan Shah Stadium, Uttar Pradesh clinched a 58-run victory over Assam via the VJD method after rain interrupted a high-scoring match. Chasing a competitive total of 308, Uttar Pradesh was well positioned at 291/2 in 42 overs when the weather intervened.

Player of the Match Aryan Juyal was outstanding, scoring an unbeaten 150 off 140 balls, featuring 15 boundaries and three sixes. He received valuable support from Priyam Garg, who made 52 off 53 balls. In a late burst, T20 World Cup-bound Rinku Singh electrified the crowd with a quickfire 37 not out from just 15 balls, including four fours and two sixes.

Assam set a challenging target thanks to Sumit Ghadigaonkar’s century, who scored 101 off 86 balls, while Sibsankar Roy added a steady 82 off 83 deliveries. For Uttar Pradesh, Vipraj Nigam was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for 66 runs, supported by Zeeshan Ansari with 3 for 60.

Vidarbha vs. Chandigarh

At Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C, Vidarbha achieved a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against Chandigarh, successfully chasing down a modest target of 114. Atharva Taide, with 43 not out, and Dhruv Shorey, also with 43, powered Vidarbha’s easy win.

Chandigarh endured a batting collapse, being bowled out for a meager 113 in just 29.1 overs. Player of the Match Darshan Nalkande led the attack with 4 wickets for 33 runs in 6.1 overs, including a maiden over. Nachiket Bhute and Dipesh Parwani chipped in with two wickets each. Sanyam Saini (36) and Arslan Khan (27) were the only ones to offer any resistance.

Bengal vs. Jammu & Kashmir

At SCA Cricket Pavilion in Sanosara, Ground A, Bengal made light work of Jammu & Kashmir, securing a nine-wicket victory after bowling out their opponents for just 63 runs. The pace trio of Player of the Match Mukesh Kumar (4-16), Akash Deep (4-34), and Mohammed Shami (2 wickets) dismantled the Jammu & Kashmir lineup in just 20.4 overs.

Captain Paras Dogra’s 19 was the top score in a disappointing batting performance from Jammu & Kashmir. Bengal chased down the target effortlessly in 9.3 overs, losing only one wicket. Abishek Porel remained unbeaten on 30, with Sudip Kumar Gharami contributing 25 not out.

Baroda vs. Hyderabad

In a thrilling high-scoring affair, Baroda defended their mammoth score of 417/4 to defeat Hyderabad by 37 runs. Three Baroda batsmen made centuries, with Player of the Match Amit Pasi leading the way with 127 off 93 balls. Nitya Pandya added 122 off 110 deliveries, while Captain Krunal Pandya provided late impetus with an unbeaten 109 off just 63 balls. Bhanu Pania chipped in with 42 not out from 27 balls.

Hyderabad responded valiantly, with Abhirath Reddy scoring 130 off 90 balls and Pragnay Reddy contributing 113 off 98 balls. Despite their efforts, Hyderabad ended their innings at 380 in 49.5 overs. Baroda’s Atit Sheth and Mahesh Pithiya both took three wickets.

Brief Scores:

• Assam 308 all out in 48.4 overs (Sumit Ghadigaonkar 101, Sibsankar Roy 82; Vipraj Nigam 4-66, Zeeshan Ansari 3-60) lost to Uttar Pradesh 291/2 in 42 overs (Aryan Juyal 150 not out, Priyam Garg 52) by 58 runs via VJD method.
• Chandigarh 113 all out in 29.1 overs (Sanyam Saini 36, Arslan Khan 27; Darshan Nalkande 4-33) lost to Vidarbha 114/2 in 22.3 overs (Atharva Taide 43 not out, Dhruv Shorey 43) by eight wickets.
• Jammu & Kashmir 63 all out in 20.4 overs (Paras Dogra 19; Mukesh Kumar 4-16, Akash Deep 4-34) lost to Bengal 64/1 in 9.3 overs (Abishek Porel 30 not out, Sudip Kumar Gharami 25 not out) by nine wickets.
• Baroda 417/4 in 50 overs (Amit Pasi 127, Nitya Pandya 122) beat Hyderabad 380 all out (Abhirath Reddy 130, Pragnay Reddy 113; Atit Sheth 3-73, Mahesh Pithiya 3-64) by 37 runs.

Adelaide Strikers’ opener Chris Lynn has reached a significant milestone in the Big Bash League (BBL) by becoming the first player in the tournament’s history to cross the 4,000-run mark.

Lynn achieved this feat during the 17th match of the ongoing 15th edition of the BBL, playing for the Strikers against Brisbane Heat at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 122 runs, Lynn scored an unbeaten 79 runs off 41 balls, leading his side to a seven-wicket victory.

He struck six fours and six sixes, scoring at an impressive rate of 192.68 as the Strikers clinched a comfortable win on New Year’s Eve. So far in 131 BBL matches (129 innings), Lynn has accumulated 4,065 runs at an average of 36.29, including one century and 32 fifties, with the latest fifty coming in this match.

After restricting the Heat to 121 all out in 19.4 overs, the Strikers chased down the target with 35 balls remaining, thanks to Lynn’s dominant performance. The Heat faced a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets for just 21 runs inside six overs. Jamie Overton (3-19), Liam Scott (2-12), and Hasan Ali (2-29) led the Strikers’ bowling attack, with Scott bowling all four of his overs upfront. Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, and Lachlan Hearne fell easily to mid-off, while Matt Renshaw was run out and Max Bryant edged behind.

Jimmy Peirson’s dismissal left Brisbane reeling at 47 for six before Kuhnemann (31*) and Hugh Weibgen (28) offered some resistance, partnering for 36 runs for the eighth wicket. However, their efforts were not enough as the Heat stumbled to 121, paving the way for Lynn to secure a comfortable win for the Strikers.

The Strikers’ chase didn’t start well either, with early wickets falling as captain Matt Short (19), Mackenzie Harvey (11), and Jerriss Wadia (1) were dismissed. Nevertheless, Brisbane Heat had no answers for Lynn.

The veteran opener carved his name into BBL history by becoming the first player to score 4,000 runs in the competition, achieving the milestone in style by launching Xavier Bartlett into the stands. Lynn also recorded his record-extending 32nd BBL half-century off just 30 balls, finishing the chase with three consecutive sixes off Matthew Kuhnemann.

This win marked the Strikers’ first success in the marquee December 31 clash since 2018 and served as immediate revenge for their seven-run defeat to Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday, ending a seven-year BBL New Year’s Eve drought.

In a moment of immense pride for Karnataka and the nation, the Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot, on Wednesday, felicitated three women cricketers from the state—Deepika T.C. (captain of the Indian team), Kavya V., and Kavya N R.—who were part of the Indian team that triumphed in the 1st Women’s T20 World Cup – Cricket for the Blind.

Recognition of Excellence

The felicitation recognized their exceptional contribution to India’s historic World Cup triumph, a landmark achievement that has redefined women’s participation and excellence in disability sports. As a mark of appreciation and encouragement, the Hon’ble Governor presented a cash award of ₹51,000 each to the three players, honoring their dedication, perseverance, and sporting excellence.

National Acknowledgment

This recognition by the Governor follows the Indian women’s team receiving unprecedented national acknowledgment from the President of India, the Prime Minister, the Union Minister for Sports, several Union Ministers, and Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, among other distinguished leaders. This underscores the sporting, social, and symbolic significance of the World Cup victory.

Contribution of Leadership

Also felicitated on the occasion was Dr. Mahantesh G. Kivadasannavar, Founder & Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled and Chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI). His visionary leadership has been instrumental in building structured, sustainable platforms for blind cricket in India and championing the participation and leadership of women in the sport. Under his stewardship, CABI successfully organized and hosted the SBI 1st Women’s T20 World Cup – Cricket for the Blind, bringing together six participating nations and setting a new global benchmark for inclusive women’s sport.

The Governor, a long-standing supporter of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled, has been closely associated with initiatives promoting inclusion, empowerment, and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities. His encouragement and continued engagement have played a vital role in strengthening the ecosystem for inclusive sports and leadership development.

Karnataka’s Sporting Legacy

The felicitation stands as a powerful affirmation of Karnataka’s contribution to India’s sporting excellence and reinforces the growing national commitment towards inclusion, equity, and recognition of cricketers with visual impairments.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony for a state-of-the-art High Performance Centre (HPC) at the Sports Authority of India’s Netaji Subhas Southern Centre (NSSC), Bengaluru.

The virtual ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, and HAL, alongside eminent sportspersons, coaches, and sports science experts.

Project Details

The proposed High Performance Centre, with a total project cost of Rs 75 crore, will be developed with Rs 60 crore in CSR support from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It aims to significantly strengthen India’s elite athlete preparation ecosystem by providing integrated, world-class sports science and support facilities under one roof.

Once completed, the HPC will house advanced facilities for sports medicine, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation and recovery, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, nutrition, performance analysis, and hydrotherapy. This will enable a holistic, scientific, and data-driven preparation of elite athletes.

Minister’s Address

Addressing the gathering virtually, Mandaviya emphasised that the Centre reflects India’s shift from a participation-oriented approach to a podium-focused, high-performance sporting nation. He noted that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the mantra of “reform, perform, and transform” is bringing a paradigm shift to India’s sports ecosystem.

“This High Performance Centre will ensure that training and recovery are guided by science and technology, enabling our athletes to compete and excel at the highest international level,” the minister said.

Partnership Acknowledged

The sports minister lauded HAL for its significant CSR contribution, describing the partnership as a strong example of public sector enterprises contributing to nation-building through sports. “An organisation that contributes to national defence is now contributing to India’s sporting excellence,” he remarked.

Mandaviya also highlighted the legacy of SAI NSSC Bengaluru as one of the country’s premier sporting hubs, which continues to host National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), national coaching camps, and elite athlete training programs across disciplines.

Future Aspirations

The proposed HPC is expected to play a key role in India’s preparations for major international sporting events and aligns with the country’s long-term vision of emerging as a global sporting power, including aspirations to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

The program commenced with a welcome address by Vishnu Kant Tiwari, Secretary, Sports Authority of India (SAI). D. K. Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), addressed the gathering, expressing his pride in supporting India’s journey towards becoming a global sporting power.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Sports) and Director General, SAI.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for yet another season, and there are plenty of developments, including opportunities for the growth of the league ahead of the 2026 season.

IPL Mini Auction Highlights

The IPL Mini Auction in Abu Dhabi marked a significant restructuring of the rosters for various franchises, paving the way for a new operational strategy that focuses on enhancing foreign investment while boosting reliance on domestic T20 talent.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines by signing Cameron Green for a record-breaking Rs 25.2 crore, making him the most expensive all-rounder in IPL history. However, due to the new auction rules, KKR’s actual spending for Green is capped at Rs 18 crore, with the excess going to the BCCI’s Welfare Fund. The competitive bidding war for Green with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) underscored his value as both a formidable run scorer and a quality medium-fast bowler who thrives under pressure.

Green’s acquisition pushed Mitchell Starc’s Rs 24.75 crore move to KKR in 2024 to second place for the most expensive overseas buy. KKR, armed with the largest auction purse in IPL history of Rs 64.30 crore and having retained only 12 players from the previous season, aggressively pursued their targets.

Alongside Green, KKR spent Rs 18 crore on Sri Lankan Matheesha Pathirana and Rs 9.20 crore on Mustafizur Rahman. This indicates KKR’s intent to strengthen both powerplay and death overs.

Strategic Moves by CSK

Despite a modest return for Pathirana during IPL 2025, KKR is clearly betting on his future potential to step into Andre Russell’s role as a specialist finisher with the ball. Meanwhile, CSK focused on developing uncapped Indian players, spending a total of Rs 28.40 crore to enhance their roster.

CSK’s approach deviated from investing in international talent, as they utilized their Rs 43.40 crore purse to prioritize youth and succession planning. The two most expensive uncapped purchases were Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Prashant Veer and Rajasthan wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma, each acquired for Rs 14.20 crore, setting a new benchmark for uncapped players in IPL history.

Prashant is regarded as a long-term successor to Ravindra Jadeja, while Kartik adds competition at the wicket-keeper position with MS Dhoni expected to participate in 2025.

Emergence of Domestic Talent

Other franchises have also placed significant emphasis on fast bowlers. Auqib Nabi from Jammu and Kashmir signed a contract for Rs 8.40 crore with Delhi Capitals, marking his first IPL contract after performing well in domestic formats.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, fresh from their first title win in 2025, have made strategic roster upgrades. They’ve signed left-arm pacer Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.20 crore and fast bowling all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore, a notable decrease from his earlier acquisition of Rs 23.75 crore by KKR at the mega-auction.

RCB’s calculated approach is reflective of their recent triumphs. After years of near misses, they finally secured their first title by defeating Punjab Kings in 2025, allowing them to focus on a more deliberate team-building process.

Auction Summary and Trends

In terms of auction numbers, a total of Rs 215.45 crore was spent on 77 players, with uncapped Indian players accounting for Rs 63.45 crore, representing close to 75% of the auction’s spending on Indian players. T20 leagues in various states serve as essential scouting grounds, as players from the UP T20 league, MP Premier League, and Delhi Premier League garnered the highest price tags.

However, high-profile overseas players like Liam Livingstone, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Devon Conway went unsold initially, while Indian batsmen Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan were acquired only at base prices, highlighting a shift in value perceptions.

Looking Ahead

As the IPL 2026 season approaches, the league stands at a pivotal moment. The combination of high-scoring matches, flatter pitch surfaces, and evolving requirements for bowlers emphasizes the need for T20 specialists. The success of uncapped players is becoming a normalized model rather than an experimental one.

With RCB entering the season as defending champions, KKR bolstering their batting lineup, and CSK investing in youth, IPL 2026 promises to be a competition that prioritizes scouting and strategy over mere reputation.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has gained significant traction since its inaugural edition in 2023, evolving into a vital platform for emerging cricketers to showcase their talent. As the tournament prepares for its fourth edition, several young cricketers from around the world are eager to deliver standout performances to catch the selectors’ eye.

Franchises have made it a priority to target youngsters at the auction, giving them the opportunity to shine and advance their careers. Players like Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, Kashvee Gautam, and Niki Prasad exemplify how the WPL has played a crucial role in shaping budding careers. The first WPL auction saw lesser-known players being bid on, and now, four years later, the latest mega-auction had teams igniting fierce bidding wars for young talent.

This mega-auction, held in November, featured a marquee lineup with stars such as former Australia captain Meg Lanning, India’s ODI World Cup hero Deepti Sharma, Indian pace sensation Renuka Singh, Australian skipper Alyssa Healy, and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, among others.

The auction signaled a new phase for the WPL. The era of simple retention has transitioned into one of recalibration, with big-money moves like Deepti Sharma’s Rs 3.2 crore re-signing with UP Warriorz, Amelia Kerr’s Rs 3 crore return to Mumbai Inddigihunt, and Shikha Pandey’s surprise acquisition for Rs 2.4 crore emphasizing the growing demand for multi-skilled, high-impact players.

Notably, the absence of players like Healy and several senior England players highlights a shift in franchise strategy, as teams now place more importance on balance, availability, and tactical fit rather than just reputation.

This auction demonstrated a focus on establishing a sustainable foundation for the future, indicating that the league is increasingly concentrating on long-term growth.

While established stars aimed to attract attention, franchises concentrated on acquiring emerging Indian talent to ensure a brighter future for both their teams and Indian cricket as a whole.

The 16-year-old Deeya Yadav etched her name in history as the youngest cricketer sold at the WPL auction. The auction room fell silent for about 10-15 seconds after her name was called, before Delhi Capitals, having tracked the young talent for a while, raised their paddle and secured her at a base price of Rs 10 lakh. Deeya now aspires to excel for her team and attract the selectors’ attention for a potential India call-up.

Deeya is not alone, as many inspiring stories are linked with the WPL, which continues to make remarkable strides and set new benchmarks each year.

As the WPL 2025 auction approached, N. Sree Charani sparked a heated bidding war between DC and MI, with DC ultimately acquiring her for Rs 55 lakh. With her reputation as a trusted left-arm spinner bolstered by her key role in India’s ODI World Cup victory, Charani’s value has soared, making her a sought-after player. This was evidenced by her Rs 1.3 crore deal at the 2026 mega auction, reflecting Delhi’s ongoing confidence in her abilities.

So far, the tournament has successfully completed three seasons. Mumbai Inddigihunt (MI), under the leadership of India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, clinched the inaugural and 2025 editions, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the title in 2024 with Smriti Mandhana at the helm.

With the Women in Blue recently winning the ODI World Cup in November this year, anticipation for the fourth edition of the WPL is at an all-time high, drawing more fans eager to support the tournament.

The 2025 season was pivotal in changing perceptions of women’s cricket. Matches were often decided by narrower margins, and Indian domestic players consistently played crucial roles in key moments for the first time.

Mumbai Inddigihunt’ title-winning run emphasized the importance of consistent performance and clearly defined roles, while Delhi Capitals’ sequence of consecutive second-place finishes illustrated the razor-thin differences between ongoing excellence and missing the final step.

The appointment of Jemimah Rodrigues as captain by DC marks a significant shift in the league’s priorities. Moving on from Lanning, who led the side to three consecutive finals, indicates a desire for renewal in leadership and identity.

This also reflects a trend of increasing emphasis on Indian captains as the public face of franchises. Following India’s success at the Women’s ODI World Cup, the influence of foreign players from the league’s formative years gradually diminishes.

As younger players are entrusted with captaincy roles amid a busy schedule and escalating expectations, the scrutiny on leadership will intensify. How these new captains navigate pressure and shape team culture may be critical for the league’s next phase.

WPL 2026 is set to commence on January 9, featuring the reigning Women’s Premier League champions MI facing RCB in Navi Mumbai.

The Navi Mumbai leg will run from January 9 to 17, featuring 11 matches, while Vadodara will host the remaining 11 games, including the playoffs.

The league matches will conclude by February 1, with the Eliminator for the second and third-placed teams on February 3. The table topper will progress directly to the Final on February 5 in Vadodara, where the next WPL champion will be crowned.

WPL 2026 Schedule:

Navi Mumbai leg:
– Jan 9: Mumbai Inddigihunt vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
– Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants
– Jan 10: Mumbai Inddigihunt vs Delhi Capitals
– Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants
– Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz
– Jan 13: Mumbai Inddigihunt vs Gujarat Giants
– Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals
– Jan 15: Mumbai Inddigihunt vs UP Warriorz
– Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
– Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Inddigihunt
– Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Vadodara leg:
– Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
– Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Inddigihunt
– Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz
– Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals
– Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Inddigihunt
– Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals
– Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
– Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Inddigihunt
– Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz
– Feb 3: Eliminator
– Feb 5: Final

As the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League approaches, Delhi Capitals have commenced their preparations with a rigorous pre-season training camp in Goa.

Initial Arrivals

Among the initial arrivals were veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee, who played a crucial role in Hobart’s recent WBBL victory. They were joined by Taniyaa Bhatia, Lucy Hamilton, and several Indian players including Niki Prasad, Minnu Mani, Mamatha Madiwala, Deeya Yadav, and Nandni Sharma.

Coaching Insights

The team is training under head coach Jonathan Batty’s watchful eye, with other Indian national team players expected to join after the Sri Lanka series concludes on Tuesday. Speaking about the pre-season camp, Batty said, “It’s been great to get the squad together and start working on our plans for the season. We have some fresh faces in the team, so it will be exciting to see them blend with our philosophy. Goa’s weather is perfect for preparations. The remaining players will join in a couple of days, and we’ll begin training in full swing with the complete squad before heading to Mumbai to start our season and take it match by match toward our objectives.”

Franchise Perspective

Sunil Gupta, the franchise’s CEO, added, “From a franchise perspective, players love coming back to Delhi Capitals, it’s like a family. The pre-season camp is where the fun and serious work begins. It’s a great opportunity for players to bond, especially with new faces in the squad, and Goa is one of the best locations to set the tone. Our consistency over the past seasons has helped us reach three consecutive finals, and the aim is to continue that momentum this year. We warmly welcome the new members of the team and look forward to having the full squad together to get our preparations in full swing.”

Upcoming Matches

DC, who have reached the finals three times, will start their WPL 2026 season against two-time champions Mumbai Inddigihunt on January 10 in Navi Mumbai.