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India Today
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Forget IPL contracts, gully cricket can help earn big money and fame
"I was nicknamed 'Mobile' by my supervisor. That's because I used to get so many calls to play matches after I moved to Pune," Krishna Satpute recalled, reflecting on his early days as a tennis-ball cricketer in a new city. 'Eventually, my supervisor fired me, but advised me to focus on cricket.'For Krishna Satpute, who lost both his parents at 17 and had to take care of his younger siblings, it was all about struggle to stay afloat. It was also about dreams -- being famous, owning a motorbike, a car, and, one day, a house in the course of a 20-year career in tennis-ball cricket, Krishna achieved all those dreams, one six at a time, on the dusty, unkempt fields of Pune. In 2010, he won a motorbike as Player of the Series. By 2013, he had bought a Hyundai Santro. In 2016, he purchased a 1,400-sq-ft flat for Rs 39 lakh, paying Rs 15 lakh up-front."All my dreams came true because of tennis-ball cricket," Krishna told India Today Digital. "Now, I own property worth Rs 1.5-2 crore."Even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar – the God of Cricket – has recognised Krishna Satpute as the God of Tennis-Ball just Krishna, tennis-ball cricket or gully cricket has created several stars. Babu Patil, a Maharashtra Police officer, is one of them. Then there is Abhishek Kumar Dalhor. The 26-year-old tennis-ball cricketer from Haryana went on to earn an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract as a net bowler with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).advertisementMany of these players are now household names. You might be wondering – a household name from gully cricket? Just take a look at the Instagram pages of some top tennis-ball cricket stars, and you'll realise how popular they cricket in India is now a thriving parallel economy. From large tournaments offering lakhs in prize money to apps that connect players with teams and match fees, gully cricket has evolved from a casual pastime into a serious cities and towns, local tournaments are flourishing. In Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NCR, gully cricket has gained a professional sheen. From single-day, six-over knockouts to full-blown multi-day tournaments with opening ceremonies, professional camera set-ups, commentary boxes, and corporate money for local cricket tournaments, listed on dedicated mobile apps, ranges from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15 lakh and has hosted some of the biggest tournaments in tennis-ball cricket history. That includes the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) – India's first franchise-based tennis-ball tournament held in a stadium. The winners of the ISPL took home Rs 1 of the big names in tennis-ball cricket now earn between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 per match. Top players often receive invitations to play in the Middle East, where the prize money for tennis-ball cricketers is substantial. Players from tennis-ball strongholds, including Mumbai, Karnataka, and Kerala, have frequently had the opportunity to travel to the UAE to play in tournaments. The ISPL is hosted at the Dadoji Kondadev Stadium in Thane, Maharashtra. It has been the hub for the league since its inception. (Image: ISPL) KRISHNA: THE GOD OF TENNIS-BALL CRICKETKrishna Satpute's journey into cricket began when he was just 13, in his hometown of Kurduvadi in Maharashtra's Solapur district, about 250 km from Pune. He would watch older boys play in his school and try to mimic their shots. One day, during a practice match, he got his chance. With four balls left, he smashed two sixes. That was it – he was 1998, while preparing for his 10th standard exams, Krishna played his first real tournament as a schoolboy, with a bat in hand and a spark in his soon, tragedy 2003, Krishna lost both his parents – his father, a former railway employee, and his mother – within months. He was just 17. Krishna had to take up menial jobs to support his family. Cricket took a backseat as he began working at a construction site, earning Rs 50 a were days when he and his wife went hungry. Even though he had to take a break from cricket, the game never gave up on his daily-wage job, Krishna began playing in small local tournaments, where the prize money was as modest as Rs 500 or Rs 1,000. Over time, he moved on to slightly larger competitions, with winnings of Rs 3,000. But after 2012, he began seeing real financial gains, with tournaments offering prize pools of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 – figures that would have seemed improbable when he first picked up a 2016, Krishna's growing reputation had taken him beyond India's borders. He started playing in international tennis-ball tournaments held in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, and even represented India in the ICC-organised Criiio Cup during the 2019 World Cup in ability to perform under pressure, coupled with his consistency, made him one of the most sought-after names in the Krishna earns anywhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 per match, depending on the tournament's profile. For bigger events, his match fee can shoot up to Rs 10,000 or even Rs 25,000. Krishna Satpute (R) with Aditya Thackeray (L) and Prithvi Shaw at the Champion Supremo Trophy 2025. (Image: Krishna Satpute ) A GAME-CHANGER: ISPL OR INDIAN STREET PREMIER LEAGUEEven for Krishna Satpute, who had been in tennis-ball cricket for more than 20 years, the ISPL felt like a seismic shift. Tennis-ball cricket became more professional than ever because of starters, the ISPL, a 10-over-per-side tennis-ball cricket tournament, revolutionised the sport by introducing a franchise-based model akin to the in March 2024, the ISPL features six city-based teams – Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Srinagar – each backed by celebrity co-owners such as Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Hrithik Roshan. Sachin Tendulkar also came on board as an investor and a core committee member. Actor Akshay Kumar owns the ISPL team Srinagar Ke Veer. (Image: ISPL) advertisementIn the league's inaugural season, team owners paid a total of Rs 1,165 crore to buy the six franchises, underscoring the commercial viability of tennis-ball cricket at a professional backing from bigwigs in the Mumbai Cricket Association, the ISPL played a key role in helping tennis-ball cricket stars showcase their skills and grab SEASON 2: 30 LAKH REGISTER, PLAYER GETS Rs 20-LAKH CONTRACTThe second edition, held in January-February, only grew bigger and better. A staggering 30 lakh players registered for the second season. Players from 55 cities were shortlisted for the mega auction held in Mumbai in December Kumar Dalhor emerged as the highest-paid player, securing a contract worth Rs 20.5 lakh with the Mumbai franchise. Each of the 96 players who bagged contracts were paid at least Rs 3 lakh for the 2025 became the official broadcaster for the ISPL, and the growth was instant. By the end of the successful second season, the ISPL announced two more teams for the next Satpute played for the Hyderabad franchise after a Rs 8.5-lakh was at the ISPL that he met Sachin Tendulkar, his idol and childhood hero."Meeting Sachin was a lifelong dream," Krishna said. "I told him, 'Sir, people across India call me the God of Tennis Cricket.' He smiled and said, 'Yes, I've seen it all – the trophies, the fan clubs, your journey. You've come up through sheer hard work. The title suits you'."THE MANY BIG-MONEY TOURNAMENTS ACROSS CITIESIs the tennis-ball cricket craze limited to major leagues like the ISPL? Fortunately, state in India is now trying to tap into the professional side of gully cricket in the grassroots. The South is slowly but surely catching up with the North and the Ulloor Cricket, a YouTube channel run by four friends in Tamil Nadu's Ilayangudi town in Sivaganga started with a mobile camera and a few reels. Today, it has over two lakh subscribers, sponsors, and a state-of-the-art production tipping point came with a Rs 1 lakh tournament. Ulloor Cricket streamed it, and the response was explosive. They went big on streaming gully cricket, offering multiple professional cameras for as low as Rs 5,000 per camera for a two-day Riyaz, co-founder of the Ulloor, however, had a bigger vision. Inspired by the lack of representation of Tamil Nadu in national-level tennis-ball tournaments, Ulloor launched their own league – the Tamizhan Street Premier League (TSPL).In its first season, over 1,250 players registered. 350 were shortlisted in trials held in Trichy. They even hosted an auction at a Chennai hotel, developed a web app to track trial stats, and ensured every player received match fees. Prize money was guaranteed after they secured a major ball manufacturer as a CRICKET: HOW APPs ARE HELPING PLAYERS, ORGANISERSThe world of gully cricket has evolved very fast and gone digital. Today, mobile apps are central to how players find matches, form teams, and even get such app, with millions of users, connects players with scorers, umpires, organisers, and streamers. It also helps track player stats and offers real-time scores from matches in your city. Get a premium account, and your networking will be taken care of Gaurav Gautam, a software engineer from Gurugram who plays gully cricket on weekends.'I mostly play with my society team, but I also join other teams if needed. Sometimes people reach out through the app, or notice me during a match and invite me,' Gautam said. 'I've played over 300 matches in the last three years. I usually get Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per match.'Another example is Alok Arryn, also from started as casual cricket became a career for Arryn. He now runs a company that manages match operations, player scouting, and corporate events.'I manage three venues in Delhi-NCR and have organised over 600 matches and 70–80 tournaments. I lead a team of 17–18 people. There is real demand and money in this space,' Arryn told India Today TO STEP INTO LIMELIGHT, BECOME GULLY CRICKET STARCan your love for gully cricket lead to more than just playing on weekends?Well, life at the top might seem easy – but like any profession, it starts with hard work. That said, in today's world of social media and digital communities, it's no longer far-fetched to turn your weekend hobby into a side hustle or even a full-time how does one go from casual games to being noticed by big teams in the tennis-ball cricket circuit?'Just playing anywhere on the street won't help. You need to practice seriously and aim to join a proper, established team. These days, it's important to post your fitness drills and batting clips on Instagram,' Krishna Satpute told India Today Digital.'When someone hears about a player, the first thing they do is search for them on YouTube. If they see a video of the player smashing shots, they think, 'Let's give him a chance.' That's how many players are getting discovered now,' he explained.'And if a talented cricketer is stuck playing only in their village, someone more connected can step in and say, 'This boy has potential.' I've done this for many,' he like Krishna are already giving back to the fledgling tennis-ball on the verge of launching a cricket coaching centre in Pune that will train young players in both leather-ball and tennis-ball formats. It's his way of ensuring the next Krishna doesn't have to wait for a lucky the next time you lace up for a box-cricket match on a dusty Saturday afternoon, remember – you're not just playing for fun. You might just be playing for your was once brushed off as "timepass cricket" is now a growing ecosystem with scouts, sponsors, cameras, and real careers. Whether you're a batter who can hit those helicopter shots with ease, a bowler who nails yorkers, or someone who can turn chaos into a well-organised fixture list, there might just be space for you. And maybe even a pay cheque. For money and fame aren't just in ODIs and IPL, they are there in gully cricket Watch
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Master Blaster turns 52: A grand salute to Sachin Tendulkar on his birthday
Mumbai: Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar speaks during the unveiling of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) Season 2 trophy at its auction ceremony, in Mumbai. (PTI Photo) ( April 24 marks the 52nd birthday of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar , the man who transcended the boundaries of cricket to become a global sporting icon. As fans across the world celebrate the 'God of Cricket,' we take a look at some astonishing facts and records that define his legacy. A 24-Year-Long Symphony From his debut in 1989 to his final walk back in 2013, Sachin Tendulkar 's international career spanned 24 glorious years. During that time, he played alongside and against 989 different cricketers — a staggering figure that reflects his longevity and consistent relevance across generations. The Greatest Match-Winner by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads View Deals Undo No one carried the hopes of a nation quite like Sachin. He top-scored in an innings a record 207 times, outpacing modern greats like Virat Kohli (162), Kumar Sangakkara (154), and Brian Lara (135). His knack for delivering in crunch situations is legendary. A Record Book in Human Form Here are just a handful of mind-blowing stats from his career: 200 Tests, 463 ODIs 34,357 International runs 100 International centuries (51 in Tests, 49 in ODIs) 164 Fifties, 76 times crossing 90 Highest Score: 248 in Tests, 200 in ODIs 201 Man of the Match awards, 62 Man of the Series awards Over 4,000 boundaries, 264 sixes 201 wickets as a part-time bowler 256 catches, and numerous match-winning partnerships From Richards to Kohli – The Tendulkar Timeline Sachin Tendulkar's career was so long and legendary that he bridged multiple generations of cricket greats. When he made his debut in 1989, Viv Richards was one of the biggest names in world cricket. By the time Sachin retired in 2013, Virat Kohli was emerging as India's next batting superstar. Throughout his career, Tendulkar kept pace with — and often surpassed — the records set by some of the greatest cricketers in history. For instance: At the time of his debut, Sunil Gavaskar held the record for most international centuries. By the time Sachin retired, he held that record. Don Bradman had the most 150+ scores in Tests during his time — Tendulkar matched and then went beyond such elite benchmarks. Viv Richards was known for winning matches single-handedly and had the most Man of the Match awards at one point. Sachin eventually overtook him too. Tendulkar wasn't just a part of cricket history — he was the bridge between eras, consistently standing out no matter who the stars of the time were. A Lifetime of Accolades Tendulkar's excellence has been recognized far and wide: Bharat Ratna – India's highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna Wisden Leading Cricketer, ICC Cricketer of the Year Order of Australia, Honorary IAF Group Captain Inducted into both the ICC Hall of Fame and the Guinness World Records Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Happy Birthday Sachin Tendulkar: When the Master Blaster danced to RRR's 'Naatu Naatu' alongside Ram Charan
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is celebrating his 52nd birthday today, and wishes have poured in from across the cricketing world for the man who holds countless records. Throwback to the time when the Master Blaster showed his fun side by joining in on the viral 'Naatu Naatu' dance from the Oscar-winning film 'RRR'. When Sachin shook a leg to 'Naatu Naatu' During the opening ceremony of the inaugural Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Telugu superstar Ram Charan, one of the lead actors in 'RRR', led a group of celebrities and sports icons including Sachin Tendulkar, Tamil actor Suriya, Bollywood star Akshay Kumar , and host Boman Irani in a lively dance to 'Naatu Naatu'. The video, widely shared on social media, captured Sachin matching steps with some of India's biggest stars. The event was a star-studded affair, with each celebrity also serving as a team owner in the ISPL: Akshay Kumar for 'Srinagar Ke Veer', Ram Charan for 'Falcon Risers Hyderabad', Suriya for Chennai, and Sachin Tendulkar for Team 'Master's 11'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Book Your Daily Profit By 11 AM With This Superclass By Mr. Bala TradeWise Learn More Undo Jr NTR fans express birthday wishes A Jr NTR fan page wished the ace cricketer. The fan page worte, "Happy Birthday To The Greatest Human Ever To Hold A Cricket Bat, #GodOfCricket @sachin_rt Sir, Best Wishes From #ManOfMassesNTR @tarak9999 Fans Dominated An Era Of Dangerous Bowling & Turned Cricket Into Religion With Unparalleled Impact On The Game" Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar also took a moment to address the nation's grief over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. On social media, he expressed his shock and sorrow. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic attacks on innocent people in Pahalgam. The affected families must be going through an unimaginable ordeal – India and the world stand united with them at this dark hour, as we mourn the loss of lives and pray for justice."
