The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) has officially fired the opening shot for what promises to be its biggest season yet, announcing its first-ever retained players list ahead of the ISPL Season 3 Player Auction, scheduled for Tuesday in Mumbai. As franchises prepare for an intense bidding battle, two standout names from last season have been locked in as foundational pillars—Abhishek Dalhor for Majhi Mumbai at ₹26.65 lakh and Jagannath Sarkar for Chennai Singams at ₹20.02 lakh.
The introduction of the retention system marks a key structural shift in ISPL’s evolution, giving every franchise the opportunity to secure one proven match-winner before heading into the auction room. The move adds strategic depth to squad building and injects added intensity into what is already expected to be a highly competitive auction.
Dalhor’s retention comes after a breakthrough season packed with big-match temperament and decisive performances under pressure. His rapid rise has also translated to recognition beyond ISPL, with his recent selection as a net bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025, underlining how the league continues to act as a fast-growing talent bridge to mainstream cricket. Sarkar, meanwhile, earned his place as Chennai Singams’ retained star through sheer consistency at the top of the order, steering chases with composure and delivering in crunch situations throughout the previous season.
Two more dependable performers have also been retained as teams strengthen their core for the new campaign—Bhavesh Pawar by Tiigers of Kolkata for ₹11.05 lakh, and Mansoor KL by Falcon Risers Hyderabad for ₹4.5 lakh. Their continued presence reflects strong franchise faith in stability and long-term squad balance.
Season 3 is shaping up to be the most ambitious ISPL edition yet, backed by expanded team purses, a deeper player pool and fresh tactical tools. The player auction will feature 408 players from 101 cities, divided across six zones—U-19, West, East, Central, South and North—each entering at a base price of ₹3 lakh. Franchises will now operate with ₹1.5 crore purses, increased squad sizes of 18 players, and access to two Right to Match (RTM) cards. A new auction twist, the ‘Googly Power’ mechanism, will introduce sudden ₹1 lakh bid jumps, adding surprise and strategy to the proceedings. Teams must also ensure U-19 representation and zonal balance, reinforcing ISPL’s commitment to development and national reach.
ISPL officials believe the new format strengthens competitive balance while making the auction far more dynamic for fans and franchises alike. With two new teams joining the league and improved operations across the board, Season 3 is being widely viewed as a defining leap forward for the rapidly growing tennis-ball T10 tournament.
Retained Players & Purse Status
Majhi Mumbai
Abhishek Dalhor – ₹26.65 lakh
Remaining Purse: ₹1.23 croreChennai Singams
Jagannath Sarkar – ₹20.02 lakh
Remaining Purse: ₹1.30 croreTiigers of Kolkata
Bhavesh Pawar – ₹11.05 lakh
Remaining Purse: ₹1.39 croreFalcon Risers Hyderabad
Mansoor KL – ₹4.5 lakh
Remaining Purse: ₹1.46 croreDelhi Superheros, Ahmedabad Lions, Srinagar Ke Veer, Bengaluru Strikers
Available Purse: ₹1.5 crore each
Celebrity-Owned Franchises – Season 3 Line-Up
Majhi Mumbai – Amitabh Bachchan
Tiigers of Kolkata – Saif Ali Khan & Kareena Kapoor Khan
Srinagar Ke Veer – Akshay Kumar
Chennai Singams – Suriya
Bengaluru Strikers – Hrithik Roshan
Falcon Risers Hyderabad – Ram Charan
Delhi Superheros – Salman Khan
Ahmedabad Lions – Ajay Devgn
ISPL Leadership on the Road to a Bigger Season
Suraj Samat, ISPL Core Committee Member and League Commissioner, said: “Introducing player retentions for the first time marks an important step in the evolution of the ISPL. These strategic decisions enhance competitive balance and build excitement for the Season 3 auction. With 408 players from 101 cities in contention, the stage is set for teams to assemble formidable line-ups that will elevate the sport to the next level.”
Dipak Chauhan, President, Operations, added: “Our aim is to ensure smooth operations while giving teams and players a fair and competitive environment. With higher team purses, improved auction rules and two new franchises joining the league, Season 3 promises to be our most exciting season yet.”
ISPL continues to be guided by a powerful leadership group featuring Sachin Tendulkar, Ashish Shelar, Minal Amol Kale, and Suraj Samat, whose collective vision has played a crucial role in the league’s rapid growth.
The on-field action will unfold at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat from January 9 to February 6, 2026, where eight teams will battle for supremacy. Adding a powerful incentive this season, the Most Valuable Player will take home a brand-new Porsche 911, a first-of-its-kind reward in the short-format domestic cricket ecosystem.
The Season 3 Player Auction will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, allowing fans across the country to track every high-stakes moment as squads take final shape.
