The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has officially released the schedule for the much-anticipated Delhi Premier League 2024 (DPL). The inaugural edition of this T20 franchise league in Delhi is set to kick off on Saturday, August 17. With some of the biggest names in Indian cricket participating, the tournament promises to be a spectacular event for cricket fans across the country.
In a grand announcement earlier this month, the organizers revealed the formation of ten teams after a competitive player auction. The first edition will feature six men’s teams and four women’s teams, bringing together a mix of experienced players and young talents. The star attractions, including wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and veteran bowler Ishant Sharma, headline the Prani Dilli 6 team and are set to feature in the tournament’s opening match at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The lineup for the men’s teams includes:
– **Purani Dilli 6**: This team boasts of players like Rishabh Pant, Lalit Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Arpit Rana, Shivam Sharma, Prince Yadav, Mayank Gusain, Sanat Sangwan, Ankit Bhadana, Yug Gupta, Keshav Dalal, Ayush Singh, Kush Nagpal, Sumit Chhikara, Arnav Bugga, Vansh Bedi, Manjeet, Yash Bhardawaj, Sambhav Sharma, and Laxman.
– **South Delhi Superstars**: Highlighting talents such as Ayush Badoni, Kuldip Yadav, Priyansh Arya, Sumit Mathur, Divij Mehra, Kunwar Bidhuri, Digvesh Rathi, Tejaswi Dahiya, Raghav Singh, Saurabh Deswal, Sarthak Ray, Lakshay Sehrawat, Tarun Bisht, Shubham Dubey, Vision Panchal, Dhruv Singh, Mayank Gupta, Anshuman Hooda, Anindo Naharay, and Deepanshu Gulia.
– **East Delhi Riders**: Encompassing players like Anuj Rawat, Simarjeet Singh, Himmat Singh, Himanshu Chauhan, Harsh Tyagi, Vaibhav Sharma, Mayank Rawat, Samarth Seth, Pranav Pant, Sujal Singh, Hardik Sharma, Raunak Waghela, Agrim Sharma, Shantanu Yadav, Bhagwan Singh, Ansh Choudhary, Sagar Khatri, Shivam Kumar Tripathi, Rishabh Rana, and Lakshaya Sangwan.
– **Central Delhi Kings**: Featuring talents such as Yash Dhull, Prince Choudhary, Hiten Dalal, Jonty Sidhu, Lakshay Thareja, Yogesh Sharma, Money Grewar, Keshav Dabas, Shaurya Malik, Saurav Dagar, Aryan Rana, Siddhant Bansal, Rajneesh Dadar, Sumit Kumar, Kaushal Suman, Deepesh Balyan, Vishant Bhati, Dhruv Kaushik, and Ajay Gulia.
– **North Delhi Strikers**: Bringing together players like Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma, Pranshu Vijayran, Vaibhav Kandpal, Kshitiz Sharma, Vaibhav Rawal, Yash Dabas, Pranav Rajvanshi, Manan Bhardwaj, Yash Bhatia, Yatish Singh, Aman Bharti, Yajas Sharma, Sarthak Ranjan, Anirudh Choudhary, Shivam, Yatharth Singh, Sidhhartha Solanki, Dhruv Chauhan, and Yuvraj Rathi.
– **West Delhi Lions**: Including players such as Hrithik Shokeen, Navdeep Saini, Dev Lakra, Deepak Punia, Shivank Vashisth, Akhil Chaudhary, Ayush Doseja, Krish Yadav, Anmol Sharma, Yugal Saini, Ankit Rajesh Kumar, Vivek Yadav, Aryan Dalal, Masab Alam, Ekansh Dobal, Shivam Gupta, Yogesh Kumar, Suryakant Chauhan, Tishant Dabla, and Ibrahim Ahmad Masoodi.
The women athletes will be introduced later, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.
The highly-anticipated opening clash will see Rishabh Pant’s Purani Dilli 6 squaring off against Ayush Badoni’s South Delhi Superstars, commencing at 8:30 PM.
. Subsequent matches will be held at two different timings: 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. A total of 33 matches, including the final on September 8, will be played exclusively at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the live-action on the Sports 18 2 TV channel. For those who prefer online viewing, JioCinema will provide free streaming of all DPL 2024 matches through its app and website, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment.
It’s not just the lineup of players that promises to thrill; the venue, the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla, has been a hallowed ground for cricket in India. The stadium is steeped in history, having hosted numerous memorable matches over the years, including some legendary performances by Indian players.
The DPL aims to bring local cricketing talent to the forefront, giving them a platform to shine while also offering seasoned pros a chance to mentor the young guns. The mix of emerging players with established cricket stars is expected to bring a competitive edge to the league, making each match a must-watch event.
Additionally, the format of the league has been designed to engage fans throughout its duration. The timings of the matches have been set to maximize viewership, with afternoon matches for those eager to spend a leisurely day, and prime-time games that promise electrifying encounters under the lights.
The DPL is set to create a carnival-like atmosphere, not just for the players but also for the fans who will throng the stadium and tune in from around the world. The excitement is palpable, and the stage is set for what promises to be a cricketing spectacle like no other.
As the Delhi Premier League 2024 inches closer, cricket aficionados are gearing up for a month filled with top-notch T20 action, hoping to see their favorite stars light up the cricket field with breathtaking performances. The DPL is not just another league; it’s a celebration of cricket in the heart of India, bringing together the best talents and delivering entertainment in its purest form.
