Delhi Premier League officials face payment uncertainty as tournament ends

With the third edition of the T20 Delhi Premier League (DPL) concluding on September 2, match officials say they have yet to receive clarity on their payments.

“So far, there has been no word about referees’ payments,” a referee told Patriot. An umpire who officiated in the tournament expressed similar concerns. Even the scorers are awaiting the official word on payment.

Hotel accommodation withdrawn

“The referees and umpires were lodged in five-star hotels for the first two DPL editions, but this year, we were told that we would not be provided hotel accommodation. So, we stayed at home, and some of us travelled long distances to reach the venue,” the umpire said.

“The DDCA management has told us orally that it would pay some TA [travel allowance], but that too hasn’t been decided,” the umpire added. “We are not even DDCA members, so no one listens to us.”

Six referees and eight umpires officiated in DPL 2026.

Lower payments feared

Each umpire was paid Rs 5 lakh per season during the 2024 and 2025 editions, while each referee received Rs 3 lakh per season.

“Before the DPL started this season, match officials were told orally that they would be paid on a per-match basis,” a Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) source told Patriot.

According to the source, this would mean an umpire receiving Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh less than in each of the previous two seasons.

“On the one hand, DDCA has hinted at cost-cutting and, on the other hand, its income has gone up considerably this season from DPL sponsorship. There were as many as 29 sponsors this season,” the source said.

The DDCA also cut back on the clothing issued to umpires for DPL 2026. In July, DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma told Patriot that the association would cut costs during the third edition, beginning with expenditure on television presenters.

Many controversies

The payment issue adds to a series of controversies that have marked the tournament.

Before the league began, the tournament’s lead presenter was sacked after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate over her links with a betting app. During the tournament, some franchises also protested after people allegedly entered their allotted spaces at the Arun Jaitley Stadium without authorisation.

The men’s tournament concluded on August 30, with South Delhi Superstarz (SDS) winning the title. New Delhi Strikers faced SDS in the women’s final on September 2.