Delhi Premier League 2026 – Expected Schedule, Teams & Players

The Delhi Premier League (DPL) has quickly grown into one of India’s most exciting domestic T20 tournaments. Launched in 2024 by the Delhi & District Cricket Association, the league blends IPL level intensity with local Delhi talent. Now in its Third season, DPL 2026 brings in two new teams, headline making auctions, and a fresh wave of young players ready to make their mark. With big names, bigger bids, and a buzzing fanbase, this season promises more action, more competition, and a deeper look into Delhi’s cricketing future.

Delhi Premier League 2026: Key Highlights

The 2026 tournament of the Delhi Premier League represents a significant milestone in the league’s growth, both in terms of scale and structure. Building on the success of its inaugural season, this year’s tournament introduces more teams, sharper competition, and a highly anticipated player auction that has elevated the league’s profile across India’s domestic cricket scene.

What’s New in DPL 2026?

• Two new franchises have joined the tournament: New Delhi Tigers and Outer Delhi Warriors, expanding the men’s competition from six to eight teams.
• The women’s division, introduced in 2024, continues with four competitive teams, each drawing from Delhi’s top female talent pools.
• A record-breaking auction saw intense bidding wars, particularly for players with IPL experience and rising under-23 prospects.
• The league has gained wider reach with FanCode, JioCinema, and Sports18 securing streaming and broadcast rights for nationwide viewership.
• The team purse for the 2026 season will be capped at ₹1.5 crore, including player retentions, encouraging smarter franchise strategies.

Format, Governance & Infrastructure:

• Type: Franchise-based T20 League
  The DPL follows a professional T20 structure, designed to replicate the excitement of the IPL while nurturing regional talent.
• Organizing Body: DDCA (Delhi & District Cricket Association)
  The league is officially managed by the DDCA, ensuring alignment with BCCI guidelines and domestic cricket standards.
• Seasons: 2024 (Inaugural), 2025 (Season 2), 2026 (Season 3)
  After a successful launch in 2024, the second season has expanded with more teams and stronger competition.
• Match Format: Round-robin + Knockouts
  Each team plays the others in the league stage, with the top teams advancing to the semifinals and a final.
• Venues: Mostly Arun Jaitley Stadium; double-header format
  Centralized scheduling at one of India’s top stadiums helps streamline logistics and improve fan turnout.
• TV & Streaming Partners:
  Broadcasting has been expanded to reach both traditional and digital audiences:
  •  Sports18, JioCinema – live telecast and digital streaming
  •  FanCode – official app for live scores, stats, and mobile viewing
• Title Sponsor (2024): Adani Group
  The inaugural season attracted major sponsorship, underlining the league’s commercial potential.

Teams in DPL 2026:

The Delhi Premier League 2026 will feature a total of 12 teams, including 8 men’s teams and 4 women’s teams. With the addition of two new franchises in the men’s competition, the league has expanded both in scale and diversity, providing a broader platform for talent across Delhi’s cricketing zones.

Men’s Teams (8)

Each team represents a specific zone of Delhi, with private franchise ownership and player squads selected through a structured auction and retention process.

Team Name	Zone Represented
Central Delhi Kings	Central Delhi
East Delhi Riders	East Delhi
North Delhi Strikers	North Delhi
Purani Dilli 6	Old Delhi
South Delhi Superstarz	South Delhi
West Delhi Lions	West Delhi
New Delhi Tigers	New Delhi
Outer Delhi Warriors	Outer Delhi

New Delhi Tigers and Outer Delhi Warriors were the latest additions for the 2025 season, increasing competition and player opportunities.

Women’s Teams (4)

The women’s competition continues to gain traction after its debut in 2024, with teams aligned to their male counterparts in branding and management.

Team Name	Zone Represented
Central Delhi Queens	Central Delhi
East Delhi Riders	East Delhi
North Delhi Strikers	North Delhi
South Delhi Superstarz	South Delhi

A separate franchise group owns each team and operates with its coaching, support staff, and development program, contributing to a more professional and structured league setup.

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DPL 2026 Franchises and Team Ownership:

Franchise	Owner	Franchise Fee (₹ Cr)	New in 2026
South Delhi Superstarz	Real Force Resources Pvt. Ltd. (Shikhar Dhawan-backed)	8.95	No
Purani Dilli 6	SISL Infotech Pvt. Ltd.	8.00	No
Central Delhi Kings	Utech Developers Pvt. Ltd.	8.25	No
North Delhi Strikers	Gupta Jee Tent Services Pvt. Ltd.	8.15	No
West Delhi Lions	Brew Force Ltd. (Dr. Rajan Chopra / Excel Group)	8.00	No
East Delhi Riders	Areion Finserve Pvt. Ltd.	8.30	No
Outer Delhi Warriors	Savita Paints Pvt. Ltd.	10.60	Yes
New Delhi Tigers	Bheema Tolling + Crayon Advertising Ltd. (Consortium)	9.20	Yes

DPL 2025 Auction – Highlights & Structure

The 2025 Delhi Premier League auction, held on July 6, drew significant attention for its mix of marquee signings, rising talent, and strategic franchise moves. With a fixed team budget and clear auction rules, each franchise had to balance experience, youth, and squad depth.

Auction Format & Structure

• Total Budget per Team: ₹1.5 crore (including retentions)
• Auction Categories:
  • Category A: Senior professionals with IPL or domestic state-level experience
  • Category B: Under-19 and Under-23 players
  • Category C: Emerging Under-16 talent
• Right to Match (RTM): Teams were allowed RTM cards to re-sign released players at the final bid price

This structured approach ensured a competitive and transparent player acquisition process.

Auction Day Highlights

• The auction featured intense bidding wars, especially for IPL-capped players and proven domestic performers.
• Several players returned to their original teams through RTMs, showing strategic foresight by franchises.
• Two new teams – Outer Delhi Warriors and New Delhi Tigers – participated in their first auction, building full squads from scratch.

Noteworthy Trends

• Heavy investment in all-rounders and wicketkeeper-batters, reflecting the T20 format’s demands
• A noticeable shift toward younger players, especially those with recent U-23 tournament exposure
• Balanced spending across categories, with several uncapped players fetching double or triple their base price

Top Buys of the Season – Marquee Signings

The Delhi Premier League 2025 auction saw several big names go under the hammer, with teams aggressively bidding for proven performers and IPL-experienced players. The most expensive signings reflected a clear emphasis on all-rounders, pace bowlers, and high-impact match-winners.

Top 5 Most Expensive Players in DPL 2025

Player	Team	Role	Price (₹ Lakh)
Simarjeet Singh	Central Delhi Kings	Fast Bowler	39
Digvesh Rathi	South Delhi Superstarz	Leg Spinner	38
Nitish Rana	West Delhi Lions	Batting All-rounder	34
Prince Yadav	New Delhi Tigers	Right-arm Pacer	33
Mayank Rawat	East Delhi Riders	Top-order Batter	26

Key Highlights:

• Simarjeet Singh became the highest-paid player of the season after an impressive IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
• Digvesh Rathi, known for his control and variations, drew heavy interest and was signed by South Delhi for just ₹1 lakh less than the top bid.
• Nitish Rana, with vast T20 experience, brought both leadership and firepower to West Delhi’s middle order.
• Mayank Rawat was brought back by East Delhi Riders using their RTM card after a competitive bidding round.

Notable Retentions Before Auction:

Before the hammer fell at the DPL 2025 auction, each franchise had the opportunity to retain key players from their previous squads. These retentions formed the backbone of most teams, allowing them to maintain continuity while building around proven performers.

Key Players Retained by Franchises:

Team	Player Retained	Role
Purani Dilli 6	Rishabh Pant	Wicketkeeper-Batter
East Delhi Riders	Anuj Rawat	Top-order Batter
South Delhi Superstarz	Ayush Badoni	Middle-order All-rounder
North Delhi Strikers	Harshit Rana	Fast Bowler
Outer Delhi Warriors	Priyansh Arya	Opening Batter
Central Delhi Kings	Jonty Sidhu	Left-handed Batter
West Delhi Lions	Ayush Doseja	Batter
New Delhi Tigers	Himmat Singh	All-rounder

Strategic Significance:

• Teams used retentions to secure their most consistent and match-winning players without risking a bidding war.
• Players like Rishabh Pant, Anuj Rawat, and Ayush Badoni bring IPL exposure and big-match temperament, making them invaluable assets.
• New franchises like Outer Delhi Warriors and New Delhi Tigers retained strong local performers to establish early team identity.

Rising Stars and Emerging Talent to Watch:

DPL 2026 has given significant importance to youth development, with several under-23 and under-16 players attracting attention during the auction. These cricketers may not yet be household names, but their performances in domestic age-group tournaments and training camps have positioned them as future stars.

Top Emerging Picks from DPL 2025:

1. Aaryavir Sehwag – Central Delhi Kings (₹8 lakh)
   The elder son of cricket legend Virender Sehwag, Aaryavir, made headlines as a U-16 batter with strong technique and fearless intent. His selection signals faith in Delhi’s next-generation talent.
2. Aryaveer Kohli – South Delhi Superstarz (₹1 lakh)
   Nephew of Virat Kohli, Aryaveer, grabbed attention due to his cricketing lineage and potential. Picked at base price, he’s seen as a long-term project in the squad.
3. Vansh Bedi – Purani Dilli 6 (₹16 lakh via RTM)
   Initially unsold in the marquee category, Vansh was brought back using the Right to Match card. A dynamic all-rounder with experience in U-23 cricket, he’s expected to play a central role.
4. Siddhant Sharma – Outer Delhi Warriors (₹12.5 lakh)
   Known for his finishing ability and adaptability under pressure, Siddhant was one of the most sought-after U-23 picks in the auction.
5. Shaurya Malik – Outer Delhi Warriors (₹6.25 lakh)
   A former Central Delhi player in Season 1, Shaurya is a fast bowler known for raw pace and aggression. A smart acquisition by the new franchise.
6. Keshav Dabas – New Delhi Tigers (₹10.5 lakh)
   A top performer in Delhi’s junior cricket circuit, Keshav adds depth to the Tigers’ squad as a composed middle-order batter.

Delhi Premier League 2025 Recap: Key Stats, Records & Standout Moments

The inaugural season of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 laid a strong foundation for what has quickly become one of India’s most promising domestic T20 tournaments. From high-scoring thrillers to individual brilliance, the first edition delivered on every front.

Here’s a quick statistical snapshot of what defined DPL 2025:

Final Result:

• Champion: West Delhi Lions
• Runner-up: Central Delhi Kings
• Final Match Summary:
  West Delhi Lions won the DPL 2025 final by 6 wickets, chasing 174 in 18 overs, with Nitish Rana named Player of the Match.

DPL 2025 Key Records:

Category	Record Holder	Performance
Most Runs	Arpit Rana (East Delhi Riders)	495 runs
Most Wickets	Money Grewal (Central Delhi Kings)	20 wickets
Highest Individual Score	Nitish Rana (West Delhi Lions)	134* (55) vs South Delhi Superstarz
Highest Team Total	Central Delhi Kings	1701 total runs in the tournament
Best Bowling Figures	Sumit Beniwal (South Delhi Superstarz)	5/19 (4 overs) vs Purani Dilli