Rishabh Pant, Harshit Rana and Navdeep Saini set to feature in inaugural season of Delhi Premier League
Renowned stars Rishabh Pant, Harshit Rana, and Navdeep Saini are set to play in the inaugural edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), starting later this month. While Harshit Rana is yet to play for India, his impressive showing in the 2024 IPL season earned him selection to the ODI squad for the ongoing Sri Lankan tour.
Meanwhile, Saini has played 21 games across all three formats for India between 2019 and 2021. However, the biggest star attraction for the DPL comes in the form of Pant, arguably one of India's greatest match-winners.
Leading the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Pant's participation in the DPL is a massive boost to the league's popularity and growth.
At the trophy inauguration ceremony on Friday, August 2, Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) chief and DPL president Rohan Jaitely said:
"Rishabh Pant, Navdeep Saini, Harshit Rana and other Indian players will feature in the inaugural season of DPL. I had a talk with Rishabh Pant and he has promised me to participate in the league but it only depends on his availability and national commitments. But as of now, he will be playing. Navdeep and Harshit will also feature in the league."
All matches of the inaugural DPL season will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
The T20 competition will have both men's and women's matches and the franchise auction for the league took place on July 28, resulting in the sale of six men's teams for ₹49.65 crore.
"In my younger days, we didn't get this type of opportunity to play in different leagues" - Virender Sehwag
DPL's brand ambassador and former Indian batter Virender Sehwag called the league a great opportunity for youngsters who work hard but do not get opportunities to showcase their skills on a bigger stage.
The league will feature both Men's and Women's matches with 33 games in the Men's category and seven in the Women's.
"The league will surely be a fantastic opportunity to those players who work hard in the nets and didn't get a chance in any major tournament. When I used to play in my younger days we didn't get this type of opportunity to play in different leagues. Now my son is playing I am glad that he will be getting those opportunities, so yes it is a very great opportunity," said Sehwag.
The six franchises partaking are West Delhi Lions, North Delhi Strikers, South Delhi Superstarz, Purani Delhi-6, Delhi Kings, and East Delhi Riders.