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The T20 format of the game is perhaps a necessary new wave that has held cricket firmly from the point of being dreary and has actually added endless layers of excitement to a game that today is played in nearly 100 countries in the world. But that being told, what's also important is to pay regard to the country that is functioning as the bustling homeground for the game's format and that is India, without much doubt. The giant revenue contributor to the game's coffers benefits from hosting several T20 leagues that today have spread in terms of popularity to different regions of the world. So that brings us to the key question - which are some of the top T20 leagues in India? Let us find out here.
List of top T20 leagues in India:
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20
Formed in the year 2009 by the powerful Karanataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), the Karnataka Premier League has been around now for over a decade and a half and for a T20 franchise based league to be around for that long is nothing short of brilliance. However, one of the oldest if also among the top T20 leagues in India did run into some troubles due to which it was replaced by the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, three years ago in 2022.
Uttar Pradesh T20 League
The premier top-tier T20 competition in all of Uttar Pradesh in the country, the Uttar Pradesh T20 League is among the most popular and noted T20 leagues in India and has six highly exciting and popular teams from the state, including teams from - Noida, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut and Kashi.
Eminent personalities from the cricketing circle of India, such as Rajeev Shukla are part of the league and season two of the said league is expected to happen in the next few days.
Delhi Premier League
The Delhi Premier League, which definitely is counted among the most popular T20 leagues in India, is about to observe its second-ever season having had a successful first installation in 2024, which was last year.
While a few of the league's players also happen to have played the past editions of the noted IPL, the DPL is largely a breeding ground for emerging Delhi region players and even established first-class Indian players and those who compete in various domestic level competitons.
About to undergo at the noted Arun Jaitley Stadium in the national capital, the Delhi Premier League will be a powerful cricketing extravaganza that will feature 8 teams.
Madhya Pradesh League
The Madhya Pradesh League for the Scindia Cup happens to be a popular franchise-based T20 league in the country, among the top T20 leagues in India and is organised by the Gwalior Division Cricket Association, which comes under the aegis of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, also known as the MPCA.
Approved by both the revered BCCI as well as the MPCA, the Madhya Pradesh League is the only top-tier premier T20 league based competiton in the region and has as many as 7 teams in its lair, such as teams from the region of Bundelkhand, Gwalior, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Indore and so on and so forth.
The league fronts several icon players from the said region, including - Abhishek Pathak, Arshad Khan, Harpreet Bhatia, Aniket Verma, among others.
The league is gaining popularity each passing season.
Saurashtra Pro T20 League
One of the most sought after and noted T20 leagues in India, the Saurashtra Pro T20 League is composed of 5 franchise-based teams from within the Saurashtra region, has around 20 plus matches in each edition, and is spread over 12 plus days and features north of 80 players that are inducted and featured after a draft process.
Iconic cricket grounds like the Saurashtra cricket ground in India forms the epicentre for one of the famous T20 league competions in the country.
Indian Veteran Premier League
Formed in 2024, and held for the first time in February in Greater Noida with Chris Gayle as its brand ambassador, the IVPL, under the aegis of the Board for Veteran Cricket in India was conceptualised and brought to life by Mr. Praveen Tyagi, who's the acting chief of the Board for Veteran Cricket in India, that was originally formed by the late great Chetan Chauhan.
With different franchise teams hailing from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, along with a team from Ghaziabad (Red Carpet group), Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and other regions, the IVPL, a huge draw in its first season saw a mishmash of international reputated cricketers playing alongside domestic and regional cricket legends from India with an aim to give veteran cricketers a new platform from which to express their talent.
It's next season is hugely anticipated!
FAQs
What are some of the different T20 leagues in India?
The likes of Saurashtra Pro T20 League, Uttar Pradesh T20 League, alongside Delhi Premier League and other platforms are some various T20 leagues in the country.
Does Delhi too have a proper T20 league of its own?
Yes, Delhi too has a T20 of its own, which is known by the name Delhi Premier League and boasts of outstanding talents from all over. It's first edition was played in 2024.
