Stung by criticism, DDCA cuts costs for leaner Delhi Premier League

After drawing criticism for its spending during the first two editions of the Delhi Premier League (DPL), the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has moved to reduce expenditure for the tournament’s third edition. The competition begins on July 31 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

In the first two seasons, the DDCA spent heavily on hiring several anchors, including the daughter of former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden, ostensibly to enhance the tournament’s presentation. However, some of them struggled in the role. During last season, one anchor forgot the name of a player at the start of a live interview, leaving her visibly embarrassed.

Many DDCA members had called for greater restraint in spending on anchors, and the association appears to have responded to those concerns. Most of the anchors have been replaced, with model-actress Walusca De Sousa and others hired at a much lower fee.

Sources hinted that one reason for the DDCA to change the anchors could be that the main presenter of the last two editions, Shefali Bagga, a former Big Boss contestant, was recently questioned by the ED for her alleged links with, and promoting, an online betting app, as reported by several news organisations.

TV commentators have also accepted a fee cut, though the panel remains largely unchanged. It includes former India players Chetan Sharma, Maninder Singh, Nikhil Chopra and Reema Malhotra, among others. Chopra is also a DDCA Apex Council member as the male nominee of the Indian Cricketers’ Association, raising questions about a potential conflict of interest.

A musical opening

Like last year, this year’s tournament will begin with an opening ceremony. It will be held on the opening day, with Punjabi singers Sukhbir, popularly known as the ‘Prince of Bhangra’, and Sunanda Sharma set to perform.

Last year, the DDCA spent more than Rs. 3 crore to bring in singer Badshah for the opening ceremony. This year, Sukhbir and Sunanda Sharma have been engaged for considerably less. This year, Sukhbir and Sunanda Sharma have been engaged for considerably less — for a cumulative Rs.58 lakh.

Cuts have also been made in complimentary food provided along with the match tickets. Last year, food was given free with the tickets in several enclosures in the stadium. But this time, this facility will be limited to just a few.

Explaining the rationale behind the cost-cutting measures, DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told Patriot: “We are trying to reduce expenses this time. We have been able to engage people at lower rates without compromising on quality. This will enable the DDCA to save money, which it will share with its DPL franchisees.”

According to the DDCA’s 2024-25 balance sheet, the association earned Rs 59.94 crore and spent Rs 54.57 crore on staging the 2024 DPL, resulting in a surplus of Rs 5.37 crore. The figures for the 2025 tournament are not yet available as the DDCA has not made public its 2025-26 balance sheet.

The bigger objective

However, the tournament is not organised primarily to make a profit.

Explaining the broader objective of the DPL, Sharma told Patriot: “Even if the DDCA makes a few crore rupees more in profit from the 2026 DPL, the association’s objective is not to maximise earnings from the tournament. The main aim is to promote cricket, help our players get noticed and provide them with a pathway to progress. Strong performances in the DPL are showcased through the live telecast, and scouts from IPL franchises also keep track of them.

“National selectors, too, occasionally attend DPL matches. The tournament helps promote our players, and earning slightly less profit [after distribution] does not make much difference to the DDCA. Our functioning does not depend on the profit from the DPL alone; we rely largely on the subsidies we receive from the BCCI.”

All set for action

The eight-team men’s competition begins with a match between champions West Delhi Lions and losing finalists Central Delhi Kings on July 31. In all, 44 matches will be played in the men’s tournament, with the final scheduled for August 30.

The four-team women’s tournament begins on August 20 with defending champions South Delhi Superstarz taking on runners-up Central Delhi Queens. A total of 13 matches will be played, with the final scheduled for September 2. All men’s and women’s matches will be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

At this month’s player auction, wicketkeeper-batsman Tejasvi Dahiya was the costliest player, with South Delhi Superstarz (SDS) retaining him for Rs 40 lakh using the Right-to-Match card.

In the women’s auction, left-arm spinner Parunika Sisodia was the costliest player after being signed by East Delhi Riders for Rs 14 lakh. The 20-year-old represented Central Delhi Queens in the 2025 DPL.

Ready for the next challenge

Dahiya says he will try to live up to the expectations and the price tag. “My personal goal is to win matches for my team and get that trophy for the first time. From myself, I expect to lead my team through pressure situations,” 24-year-old Dahiya, who scored 339 runs at a brilliant strike rate of 190.44 last season, told Patriot.

Middle-order batsman Ayush Doseja has been a key member of West Delhi Lions since the inception of the DPL. The franchise retained him ahead of the 2025 auction on the strength of his performances in the inaugural season. Last season, Doseja scored 300 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 136.98 as West Delhi Lions won the title.

The left-hander hopes to improve on that performance this season.

“My goal is to perform consistently for the team. I would strive to play impactful knocks. Last year, after I was not picked at the IPL auction, a few IPL scouts told me that although I was scoring a lot of runs, I hadn’t played enough impactful innings. So, I would be keen to play a few impactful knocks for my team. I have realised that, more than the number of runs, it is the impact of the innings that matters in getting noticed by IPL scouts. I would also focus on helping my team win matches,” Doseja told Patriot.

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Speaking about his off-season preparation, the 23-year-old said: “As part of my preparation, I had open-net sessions with the white ball and practised hitting sixes with proper technique. I also used tennis and plastic balls while practising big shots. But I have been doing this for a while; it was nothing different.”

Doseja also had an impressive 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 949 runs to finish one short of Karnataka’s Smaran R, the tournament’s leading run-scorer. His performances are expected to earn him a place in the North Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy, which begins on August 23. He faces little competition for the No. 5 spot in the north zone side. If selected, he is likely to leave the DPL after West Delhi Lions’ first seven or eight matches.