Surat | The Indian Street Premier League is set to return with its biggest and most ambitious edition yet as ISPL Season 3 gets underway on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat. Running until February 6, the season promises fast-paced tennis-ball T10 cricket, record-breaking participation and a celebration of grassroots talent from every corner of the country.
The Rise of the Indian Street Premier League
Launched in 2024, the Indian Street Premier League has emerged as India’s first organised tennis-ball T10 cricket tournament with a singular focus on grassroots development. Conceived to provide visibility and opportunity to street cricketers who often remain outside the formal cricketing structure, ISPL has rapidly become a bridge between raw talent and national recognition. By offering a structured, competitive and professionally run platform, the league has elevated tennis-ball cricket while creating a clear pathway for players from streets, gullies and small towns to showcase their skills on a national stage.
With each season, ISPL has strengthened its position as a catalyst for identifying future cricketing stars and expanding the overall ecosystem of the sport in India.
Vision and Leadership Powering the League
The league is driven by a strong leadership group that combines cricketing expertise with organisational depth. The core committee includes Sachin Tendulkar, Ashish Shelar and Minal Amol Kale, whose collective vision has been central to the league’s rapid growth. Suraj Samat serves as league commissioner and core committee member, while the selection process is overseen by Jatin Paranjpe and Pravin Amre. League operations are led by Dipak Chauhan, ensuring smooth execution and professional standards across all aspects of the tournament.
Season 3: Bigger Scale, Deeper Reach
ISPL Season 3 represents a significant leap in scale and ambition. The tournament will be played from January 9 to February 6, 2026, entirely at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat. Eight franchises will compete across 44 matches in the explosive T10 format, delivering high-intensity cricket night after night.
Ahead of the season, ISPL conducted nationwide trials across 101 cities, nearly doubling its reach from the previous edition. These trials attracted an extraordinary 4.4 million player registrations, reflecting the league’s growing popularity and trust among aspiring cricketers. Following the trials, 408 players were shortlisted for the auction, from which franchises finalised their 18-member squads, bringing the total player count for the season to 144.
Broadcast, Streaming and Fan Access
ISPL Season 3 will reach audiences across the country through live broadcasts on the Star Sports Network, with digital streaming available on JioHotstar. Fans can witness the action live at the stadium, with ticket prices starting at ₹99 and available online via BookMyShow, making the league widely accessible to cricket lovers.
High Stakes and Record Prize Money
The league continues to raise the bar with a total prize pool of ₹5.92 crore. The champions will take home ₹2 crore, while the runners-up will receive ₹1 crore. Individual excellence will also be richly rewarded, with the Most Valuable Player of the season earning a brand-new Porsche 911.
Each of the 44 matches will feature a Man of the Match award worth ₹50,000, amounting to ₹22 lakh across the season. Fans will also be recognised through the Fan of the Match awards valued at ₹20,000 per match, totalling ₹8.8 lakh. In the final, the Best Batsman, Best Bowler and Best Fielder will each receive ₹2.5 lakh.
Franchises and Star Owners
Season 3 features eight city-based franchises, each backed by prominent owners and assembled through a competitive auction process. Majhi Mumbai is co-owned by Amitabh Bachchan and Neeti Agarwal. Srinagar Ke Veer is owned by Akshay Kumar. Chennai Singams is co-owned by Suriya and Rajdip Gupta. Tiigers of Kolkata is co-owned by Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Aksha Kamboj. Bengaluru Strikers is co-owned by Hrithik Roshan along with Divy Dangi and Sanjay Dangi. Falcon Risers Hyderabad is co-owned by Ram Charan and Zayd Noaman. Delhi Superheros is owned by Salman Khan. Ahmedabad Lions is co-owned by Ajay Devgn, Izazahmad Khanusiya and Jahidmohmed Vijapur.
Each team enters the season with a full 18-player squad, combining proven performers and emerging street-cricket stars.
Auction Highlights and Player Valuations
The Season 3 auction underlined the growing commercial and competitive value of ISPL players. Vijay Pawle emerged as the most expensive buy at ₹32.50 lakh for Majhi Mumbai using the Right to Match option. Ketan Mhatre was secured by Chennai Singams for ₹26.40 lakh, while Bengaluru Strikers invested ₹26.10 lakh in Rajendra Singh. Ahmedabad Lions picked up Sanjay Kanojjiya for ₹24.55 lakh, and Tiigers of Kolkata signed Saif Ali for ₹23.65 lakh.
Strong bidding was also seen across specialist categories, with top batsmen, bowlers and all-rounders commanding significant prices, highlighting the depth of talent in the league.
Packed Schedule and Playoff Format
The season opens on January 9 with Majhi Mumbai facing Srinagar Ke Veer in the opening match. The league stage features a tightly packed schedule with prime-time fixtures and multiple double-headers, ensuring continuous action throughout January.
The playoff stage begins on February 3 with Qualifier 1, followed by the Eliminator on February 4 and Qualifier 2 on February 5. The tournament will culminate in the grand final on February 6, where the Season 3 champions will be crowned.
A Platform Beyond the Boundary
As ISPL Season 3 prepares for kickoff, the league continues to redefine what grassroots cricket can achieve in India. By combining mass participation, professional execution and entertainment-driven T10 action, the Indian Street Premier League has evolved into more than just a tournament. It stands as a nationwide movement that celebrates raw talent, creates opportunity and shapes the future of Indian cricket—one street cricketer at a time.
