Surat: The excitement of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) is set to grip Surat as Season 3 of the country’s premier T10 tennis-ball cricket league will be held at Lalbhai Contractor Stadium from January 9 to February 6. The tournament will open with a grand ceremony on January 9, marked by the presence of top Bollywood stars and cricketing legends.

According to the organisers, actors Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ajay Devgn, Suriya and Ram Charan will arrive by helicopter at a helipad set up inside the stadium. Legendary figures Amitabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar will also make special appearances during the opening ceremony.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Surat District Cricket Association secretary Dr Naimesh K Desai and president (operations) Deepak Chauhan said that a total of 44 matches will be played during ISPL Season 3, bringing high-voltage street cricket action to the city for nearly a month. The tournament officially begins on Friday and is expected to draw large crowds throughout its duration.

From streets to the spotlight

Launched in 2024, Indian Street Premier League was conceived to bridge a long-standing gap in Indian cricket abundant raw talent but limited opportunity. The league offers a structured, televised platform for tennis-ball cricketers who traditionally excel in streets, grounds and informal tournaments but lack visibility and progression.

That grassroots focus remains central to the league’s identity. Ahead of Season 3, ISPL conducted trials in 101 cities across the country, nearly doubling last year’s footprint. The process attracted around 4.4 million registrations, from which 408 players entered the auction pool and 144 were eventually signed by the eight franchises.

Season 3 at a glance

ISPL Season 3 will be played from January 9 to February 6, 2026, at Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat. Eight teams will compete in 44 matches, with 144 players, 18 per squad, taking part. The league will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, with live streaming available on JioHotstar. Tickets, priced from ₹99, are available on BookMyShow.

Prize money and incentives

The league has significantly raised the financial stakes this season. The total prize pool stands at ₹5.92 crore, with the champions set to receive ₹2 crore and the runners-up ₹1 crore. The Most Valuable Player of the season will be awarded a Porsche 911, while Player of the Match winners will receive ₹50,000 per game. Additional incentives include Fan of the Match awards and final honours for best batter, bowler and fielder.

Why Season 3 matters

Season 3 marks a crucial phase in ISPL’s growth. The scale of participation, professional execution and substantial financial rewards indicate a league moving beyond experimentation towards long-term sustainability.

For millions of street cricketers across the country, ISPL continues to offer a rare and credible pathway from anonymity to national recognition. For fans, it promises a month of fast-paced, high-intensity cricket, while for players, it represents an opportunity that could change careers overnight.

Teams competing in ISPL Season 3

• Mazi Mumbai – Co-owned by Amitabh Bachchan

• Tigers of Kolkata – Co-owned by Sourav Ganguly, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan

• Srinagar Ke Veer – Co-owned by Akshay Kumar

• Chennai Singams – Co-owned by Suriya

• Bengaluru Strikers – Co-owned by Hrithik Roshan

• Falcon Risers Hyderabad – Co-owned by Ram Charan

• Delhi Super Heroes – Co-owned by Salman Khan

• Ahmedabad Lions – Co-owned by Ajay Devgn

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