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Hindustan Times
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
South Delhi Superstarz and East Delhi Riders set DPL 2025 rolling with edge-of-seat opener
The second edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) kicked off in style on August 2 at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium. Spectators were treated to high-energy performances by Sunanda Sharma, Raftaar, KRSNA, and Seedhe Maut. The grand opening was graced by Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta Ji, former Union Cabinet Minister Smt. Smriti Irani ji, DDCA President Rohan Jaitley ji, and BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla ji. A still from DPL 2025 opener(DPL) Speaking at the occasion, Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta ji extended her best wishes to the participants and said, 'I convey my heartfelt wishes to all the teams and players. May this tournament be a celebration of talent, teamwork, and sporting spirit. I look forward to witnessing some exciting cricket and hope the event inspires the youth of our city to pursue excellence in sports.' DDCA President Rohan Jaitley said, 'The second season of the Delhi Premier League officially begins today, and it marks another significant step forward in nurturing local cricketing talent. I extend my best wishes to all the teams and players participating this year. May the league continue to grow in stature and provide a strong platform for emerging stars to shine.' The action continued on the field as South Delhi Superstarz and East Delhi Riders delivered a thrilling opening match that went down the wire. Batting first after winning the toss, South Delhi Superstarz posted a competitive 169/6 in 20 overs. The Superstarz suffered an early blow as Kunwar Bidhuri fell on the second ball to Ajay Ahlawat. Opener Sarthak Ray and skipper Ayush Badoni steadied the innings with a 43-run stand before Badoni departed for 25 off 20. A quick flurry of wickets saw them slump to 82/5, bringing Vision Panchal to the crease alongside Sarthak Ray. Sarthak Ray and Vision Panchal added a steady 32-run stand for the sixth wicket, with Panchal scoring a quick 29 off 15. Abhishek Khandelwal then powered the innings with an unbeaten 40 off 23, while Sarthak Ray remained not out on 41 off 35, guiding the Superstarz to a competitive total. In reply, East Delhi Riders openers Arpit Rana and Sujal Singh put on a 33-run stand in 4.3 overs before Rana fell for 20 off 15. Sujal followed soon after, dismissed for 11 off 18. East Delhi skipper Anuj Rawat and Hardik Sharma steadied the chase. Sharma contributed a handy 27 off 23 to keep the momentum going. Sharma's dismissal didn't slow East Delhi's charge as skipper Anuj Rawat (55 off 35) and Mayank Rawat (30 off 20) kept the scoreboard ticking. Needing 15 off the final over, Rohan Rathi and Kavya Gupta held their nerves, with Rathi smashing a six off the last ball to seal a thrilling 5-wicket win for the Riders.
Hindustan Times
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
CM wishes teams the best as DDCA's DPL off to a flying start
New Delhi: The second edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 tournament, organised by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), was off to a flamboyant start on Saturday with a star-studded opening ceremony and an enthusiastic on-field performance. The event, held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, saw the presence of top political and cricketing dignitaries, celebrating the league's growing stature in the capital's cricketing ecosystem. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, former union minister Smriti Irani, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley at the opening ceremony of the DPL 2. (@gupta_rekha/X) The curtain-raiser featured performances by artists Seedhe Maut, KRSNA, Sunanda Sharma and Raftaar. The evening was graced by Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, former union minister Smriti Irani, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla and DDCA president Rohan Jaitley. Other prominent DDCA officials present included vice-president Shikha Kumar, secretary Ashok Sharma, joint secretary Amit Grover, directors Shyam Sunder Sharma, Vikas Katyal and Navdeep Malhotra, and ICA nominees Rajkumar Sharma and Renuka Dua. Speaking at the ceremony, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley said, 'Today, we are commencing the second season of Delhi Premier League. This was a dream of the apex body last year. After a successful first season, we aimed to make it bigger, better and grander to showcase the best talent. We have added two more teams in the men's league with a total of eight teams now and a total of four teams in the women's edition.' Delhi CM Rekha Gupta lauded the initiative and said, 'A huge congratulations to the people of Delhi, the entire team of DDCA, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley, VP BCCI Rajeev Shukla. Today's programme is graced by our beloved Smriti Irani. A big round of applause to the teams, captains, the players and DDCA.' She further added, 'Last year too, DPL in its inaugural season made an impact in Delhi. Its players made it to both domestic and international stages. It provided them with a big platform and gave Delhi a new identity. The youth of Delhi found a platform to showcase their path and scale new heights. My best wishes for the month-long league and wishing that it keeps the city of Delhi entertained.' In the opening match, defending champions East Delhi Riders made a strong start after South Delhi Superstarz opted to bat first. At the halfway stage of the first innings, East Delhi had reduced their opponents to 60/4. Opener Sarthak Ray top scored with an unbeaten 41 off 36 while. Although skipper Ayush Badoni was looking in good touch, Akhil Chaudhary (1/35) got the better of him just before the powerplay. The rest of the batting line-up did not show much of a fight but all-rounder Abhishek Khandelwal (40) combined with Ray to help Superstarz finish with 169/6. Left-arm pacer Ajay Ahlawat and right-arm pacer Ashish Meena picked up two wickets each for Riders.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Expanded field as DPL 2 gets set to kick off
New Delhi: The Delhi Premier League (DPL) begins its second season with defending champions East Delhi Riders taking on runners-up South Delhi Superstarz in the opener on Saturday. Captains of the eight franchises at the Delhi Premier League season 2 that begins on August 2. (DPL) With the addition of Outer Delhi Warriors and New Delhi Tigers this season, the expanded men's edition with a total of eight teams promises to be grander. The final is scheduled for August 31. Rohan Jaitley, president of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), believes that the vision of transforming Delhi cricket by creating a more structured, competitive platform for the ecosystem is going as per plan. 'This year, the objective is to raise the bar in terms of quality of cricket,' Jaitley said. 'We are committed to providing the best infrastructure and facilities, along with increased exposure for players,' he told HT. 'The buzz this time around suggests a lot more is happening and our planning ahead of it has ensured more outreach and better avenues,' Jaitley added. Ashok Sharma, DDCA secretary said: 'There shouldn't be any doubt that the league has been a great success for both players and fans. Many players from the league were able to play in the IPL after being unearthed in DPL and we recorded approximately 21,000 spectators in the final last year. The DDCA is doing its best to provide a platform to those who have not made it to the IPL yet.' 'Delhi was lacking a platform for T20 cricket but in just one season, we have managed to change that,' Sharma added. East Delhi Riders have retained key players such as keeper-batter Anuj Rawat, who takes over as captain, and Mayank Rawat, the hero of last year's final. They've bolstered the squad by signing experienced pacer Navdeep Saini. South Delhi Superstarz, led by Ayush Badoni, will miss the services of Priyansh Arya, who has moved to Outer Delhi Warriorz. Superstarz have also added Aryaveer Kohli. New entrants New Delhi Tigers are being led by seasoned Delhi batter Himmat Singh. Their major signings include big-hitter Hiten Dalal and pacer Prince Yadav. 'With DDCA giving us a platform to showcase our talent and to a lot more youngsters in DPL, it's a preparation for handling pressure at any level,' said Singh. Central Delhi Kings, led by Jonty Sindhu, will feature Simarjeet Singh, last year's leading wicket-taker with 18 dismissals who is the most expensive player this season – he was acquired for ₹39 lakh. The squad also includes Aaryavir Sehwag. It's a homecoming of sorts for Nitish Rana, who will captain West Delhi Lions. After playing two seasons for Uttar Pradesh, the seasoned left-handed batter returns to Delhi's domestic circuit. North Delhi Strikers come in with a strong core, having retained pacer Harshit Rana and brought in left-arm quick Kuldip Yadav. Outer Delhi Warriorz, the other new franchise, will be captained by all-rounder Siddhant Sharma and features leg-spinner Suyash Sharma alongside Arya. Purani Dilli 6 will be led by Vansh Bedi, who was part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in IPL, and includes none other than Rishabh Pant as its marquee player, lending star power to the line-up. Pant's availability, however, remains doubtful due to the foot fracture he suffered in England.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Delhi Premier League 2.0: It's back bigger, bolder in its latest edition
Attention cricket buffs! The roar is back and it is louder, bolder and more exciting than ever before! The much-awaited Delhi Premier League (DPL) is here again in his second season with more matches, stiffer competition and a month-long spectacle of exhilarating action! Delhi Premier League is back Delhi is a city synonymous with cricketing excellence, with a proud history of churning out extraordinary cricketing talent that has taken the pitch by storm across the world. Whether it is the graceful left-arm spin of Bishan Singh Bedi, the boundary-smashing approach of Virender Sehwag, the leadership prowess of Gautam Gambhir, or the global cricketing icon called Virat Kohli, Delhi's contribution to Indian cricket has been noteworthy. The stage is now set for DPL 2.0 to carry this legacy forward and showcase the most promising talent from across the National Capital. Kicking off on August 2, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA)'s DPL isn't just any other cricket tournament. Get set for a continuous flow of high-octane matches, captivating narratives, and the emergence of future stars, all culminating in a grand finale on August 31 at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium. A league on the rise 'Last year, we pulled off a successful first season in a limited window, thanks to the hard work of everyone involved. With 35 million views on the Jio platform, 1,084 million minutes of watch time, and 240 million views across social media, it's clear that cricket continues to create a massive global wave of excitement and engagement. This year, we've gone a step further – revisiting our auction system, broadening the player base, and elevating domestic cricket to ensure the best talent emerges. We've also added two new men's franchises, continuing our mission to offer top-quality competitive cricket,' said Rohan Jaitley, President, DDCA. Watch Rohan Jaitley's interview below, Two new teams have been added this year to the existing line-up of six teams – New Delhi Tigers, co-owned by Crayons Advertising and Bheema Tolling & Traffic Solutions, and the Outer Delhi Warriors, owned by Savita Paints Private Limited. In addition, there is the exciting line-up of 6 teams that put up a spectacular show last year. These include South Delhi Superstarz co-owned by Vimal Group, Reach Group and Realforce Resources (Shikhar Dhawan-backed), Purani Dilli 6 owned by SISL Infotech, Central Delhi Kings owned by Utech Developers, North Delhi Strikers owned by Gupta Jee Tent Services, West Delhi Lions owned by Brew Force (Excel Group) and East Delhi riders owned by Areion Finserve. While the Adani Group were the title sponsors of 2024, the escalating interest from diverse business entities signifies an expanding commercial ecosystem for DPL 2.0. Player power This season, the scale of the DPL is much bigger than the previous edition. The inclusion of two new teams for the men's league alone means 100 more aspiring cricketers will gain invaluable exposure on this grand stage. · Men's League: Expanding to 8 teams and featuring 500 skilled players, all set to compete in an electrifying 43 matches. · Women's League: The second edition of the much-anticipated women's tournament will showcase 4 teams and 180 talented players across 9 enthralling matches, marking a significant step towards popularising women's cricket at the regional level. The player auctions for the league took place on July 6 and 7 where all eight participating teams secured top talent. The announcement of the teams makes the battle even more intense. Over 520 players went under the hammer, resulting in fierce bidding wars and significant investments. The top picks speak volumes about the quality on display – Simarjeet Singh commanded ₹39 lakh from Central Delhi Kings, Digvesh Rathi fetched ₹38 lakh for South Delhi Superstarz, Nitish Rana joined West Delhi Lions for ₹34 lakh, and Prince Yadav became a New Delhi Tigers for ₹33 lakh. Beyond the legends, the league is brimming with established IPL performers like Rishabh Pant, retained by Puraani Dilli 6, along with Harshit Rana, Nitish Rana, Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Suyash Sharma, Priyansh Arya, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Mayank Yadav and Anuj Rawat. Adding to the intrigue are promising young talents, including Aryaveer Kohli, Virat Kohli's nephew picked by South Delhi Superstarz, and Aaryavir Sehwag, son of Virender Sehwag, who will play for Central Delhi Kings. Gearing up with the teams In the maiden season of DPL, East Delhi Riders won the league. They beat South Delhi Superstarz by three runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The inaugural season has seen many close match finishes and emerging players who have played their best cricket and caught the attention as well. Priyansh Arya topped the most runs with 608 runs, and Simarjeet Singh took the most wickets with 18 wickets from the season. This time around, each franchise has meticulously put together its teams and what you can expect is even more intense competition. Here are some of the names to watch out for: Central Delhi Kings: Jonty Sidhu, Simarjeet Singh, Yash Dhull, Pranshu Vijayran, Aaryavir Sehwag. East Delhi Riders: Navdeep Saini, Mayank Rawat, Anuj Rawat. New Delhi Tigers: Himmat Singh, Prince Yadav, Hiten Dalal. North Delhi Strikers: Harshit Rana, Kuldip Yadav, Sarthak Ranjan, Vaibhav Kandpal. Outer Delhi Warriors: Priyansh Arya, Suyash Sharma, Harsh Tyagi. Puraani Dilli 6: Rishabh Pant, Vansh Bedi, Dev Lakra, Aayush Singh, Samarth Seth. South Delhi Superstarz: Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Aryaveer Kohli. West Delhi Lions: Ayush Doseja, Nitish Rana, Ishant Sharma, Hritik Shokeen, Mayank Gusain. So, what are you waiting for? Mark your calendars and prepare for a month of thrilling action and matches that will keep you on the edge of your seats! DPL 2.0 is about to begin! Don't miss it! Note to Readers: Hindustan Times is a media partner of the Delhi Premier League.
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
DPL School Juniors – nurturing Delhi's Gen Next cricket stars
New Delhi: The inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League - School Juniors, an inter-school cricket tournament organised by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) in partnership with Hindustan Times, came to a successful end at the Netaji Subhash Sports Complex, Jasola Vihar on Sunday. DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma (C), and directors Vikram Kohli (3rd from right), Vikas Katyal (2nd from right) and Shyam Sunder Sharma (3rd from left) hand over the DPL School Juniors cricket tournament champions' cheque to Modern School, Barakhamba (Hindustan Times) Sixteen of Delhi's top school teams – including Modern School, Delhi Public School-RK Puram, Bal Bharati Public School and St. Marks School – participated in this knockout competition. DPL School Juniors was conceived as part of DDCA president Rohan Jaitley's visionary pursuit to cultivate cricketing talent at the grassroots level, an initiative that underscores his enduring commitment to youth development and sporting excellence in Delhi. Modern School, who emerged champions, received a cash prize of ₹1,00,000 that was awarded by DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma. Among the other dignitaries present at the prize distribution ceremony were Shyam Sunder Sharma and Vikas Katyal, both directors of DDCA. DPS finished runners-up and were awarded ₹75,000. As the success of the DPL School Juniors marks a significant step in DDCA's push to discover and nurture Delhi's next generation of cricket stars, individual brilliance that lit up the tournament received recognition as well. Grihith Gumber of champions Modern School was named the best bowler for his impressive tally of eight wickets. He received the award from Vikram Kohli, DDCA Malhotra of Laxman Public School was adjudged the best batter, having amassed 193 runs. He received his award from Ashok Sharma. DPS allrounder Mrinayak, who scored 188 runs and took six wickets, was declared the Most Valuable Player and received the award from the DDCA secretary. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, representatives from all seven DPL franchises – Aayush Singh (Purani Dilli 6), Ayush Doseja (West Delhi Riders), Keshav Dalal (New Delhi Tigers), Yatish Singh (South Delhi Superstarz), Aarnav Koul (Central Delhi Kings), Harsh Tyagi (Outer Delhi Warriors) and Vikas Dixit (North Delhi Strikers) – joined in by distributing medals to the winners and runners-up. The second edition of the men's DPL begins on August 2 and the women's tournament is scheduled to start on August 17.
