Delhi Premier League on Cards: DDCA sends BCCI request for approval

Delhi is likely to get its own premier league as the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has forwarded a request to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for holding a state T20 tournament for both men and women. The proposal to organize the league was passed at the recent Apex Council meeting of the state association.

“DDCA has sent the request to BCCI to conduct the Delhi Premier League. We will go ahead as soon as the board (BCCI) approves,” said Rajan Manchanda, Joint Secretary, DDCA, while speaking to News18 CricketNext.

The club cricket culture in Delhi has been very robust, but having a good league will help bring more talent from the state. President Rohan Jaitley has pushed for multiple cricket reforms in the state during the off-season. High-quality camps are underway for both men’s and women’s players, and the Delhi senior team is also participating in quality tournaments.

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The DDCA team recently topped the group stage of the All India Gold Cup tournament in Dehradun and has qualified for the knockout stages. Delhi leveled their opening match against Rajasthan and then won their next two matches against Delhi Challengers and Bihar Cricket Association.

Request to organize women’s tournament

DDCA has also requested to start the women’s tournament alongside the men’s competition, which will be a big boost for the women’s game.

“The request also includes permission to start the women’s competition. Most likely there will be eight and six teams and auctions will also take place,” Manchanda said.

While DDCA has filed for the women’s competition, CAB had announced the start of the Bengal Pro T20 tournament, which will have a men’s event and a women’s event. The tournaments will be held in June this year.

Elsewhere, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has also planned a women’s tournament but it is unlikely to take place this year.

A number of states such as Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Baroda, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, UP and Punjab have their own leagues. Bengal became the latest member to join the list.