Published: Jun 15, 2025, 05:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 15, 2025, 05:00 PM (IST)
Shyam Sunder Sharma, the director of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), has stated that they are planning to increase the number of teams in the second edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 tournament to eight.
The inaugural edition of the DPL was held last year and consisted of six teams which represented the different zones of Delhi.
“We are thinking of increasing facilities in DPL… there are talks of increasing the teams as well (from six to eight),” Sharma told PTI Videos, highlighting DDCA’s plan to expand the tournament.
“The new DPL season will begin in the first or second week of August,” he added.
Sharma spoke about being happy with a large number of DPL players going on and getting a chance to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
“A total of 14 cricketers (who competed in) DPL played in the IPL… players like Digvesh Rathi, Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya, among others,” he said, adding that there were plans to give a boost to women’s cricket as well.
DDCA recently began a women’s T20 tournament, where 41 affiliated club are taking part. Sharma stated that the association is planning to add two more women’s team by the next year.
“Our apex council is giving special focus to women’s cricket. If any (affiliated) club fields its women’s team, it will be given Rs one lakh as subsidy and if they build their ground, then they will be give Rs 2.5 lakhs,” he said.
Sharma said that the Arun Jaitley Stadium had undergone significant renovations and changes resulting in improved facilities for the players and spectators.
“We got a bad name sometimes when lights went off or the pitch wasn’t in good condition. So, we renovated the stadium to provide better facilities. It was a proud moment for our apex council when we were given the ‘Best Pitch Award in IPL’, which is a big achievement,” he added.
With the BCCI shifting the venue for the three-match women’s ODI series between India and Australia in September-October from Chennai to Delhi and Mullanpur, Sharma said DDCA was committed to providing the best facilities to the players.
The matches were moved to Delhi and Mullanpur as the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is undergoing a revamp of the outfield and pitches.
