Virender Sehwag’s sons, Virat Kohli’s nephew among players shortlisted for DPL auction

DPL auction: An initial shortlist for the players’ auction in the second edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 includes some familiar names and rising stars. Among the 520 players selected are Rishabh Pant, Ishant Sharma, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Rana—who returns to Delhi after two seasons with Uttar Pradesh. Notably, the list also features both sons of former India and Delhi captain Virender Sehwag, and Aryaveer Kohli, nephew of Virat Kohli.

Unlike last year’s draft-based selection, this season will see a full-fledged auction, scheduled for July 6 and 7 for men and women respectively. “Everyone will go under the hammer this time,” said a source. However, reserve prices have not yet been revealed.

There are 19 marquee players, including IPL talents like Priyansh Arya and Suyash Sharma, who was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign. Additionally, 35 players are listed under Category A, 105 in B, and 361 in C.

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Sehwag’s 17-year-old son Aaryavir made headlines in November during the under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy in Shillong, scoring a 297 off 309 balls against Meghalaya, with 51 boundaries and three sixes. He averaged 70.86 in four matches. His 15-year-old brother Vedant, an off-spinner, featured in last season’s under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy.

Aryaveer Kohli, though he didn’t play any matches, qualifies under Category C as he was registered with the BCCI for the same under-16 tournament. The eligibility rule includes all players registered with the DDCA, those who played in the DDCA League, or were part of a squad without making the final XI.

As per the list circulated among eight franchises—including two new teams—this format is expected to create a level-playing field.

Marquee players include Delhi internationals with IPL experience: Rishabh Pant, Ishant Sharma, Priyansh Arya, Harshit Rana, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Anuj Rawat, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Prince Yadav, Suyash Sharma, Vansh Bedi, Lalit Yadav, Yash Dhull, Prince Choudhary, Hrithik Shokeen, Kuldip Yadav, and Nitish Rana.

Category B comprises players from senior men’s tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, along with previous IPL players. Category C includes under-23 and under-19 players. Some auction rules may be tweaked this season, according to the DDCA.

In the inaugural season, squads could have 20–25 players, 10 support staff, and an administrative manager. This format may be retained or modified.

The women’s auction will also be comprehensive. Although there are no marquee names, 155 players have been divided across four categories: 7 in A, 18 in B, 34 in C, and 96 in D. “The sheet will be updated on July 4. A few players may be added based on their [DDCA] League performances,” says the document.

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A separate list of support staff features 80 coaches—including former internationals Gursharan Singh, Parvinder Awana, and Robin Singh (junior)—as well as 36 managers, 15 physiotherapists, 20 trainers, 10 masseurs, six video analysts, and five throwdown specialists. The franchisees can take their pick from this list.