Following a record-shattering second season, the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL)—India’s first tennis-ball T10 cricket league—has unveiled Bollywood icon Salman Khan as the new owner of its upcoming New Delhi franchise.
Season 2 was a massive success, attracting over 28 million television viewers and witnessing a 47% rise in viewership compared to its debut season. These figures have solidified ISPL’s status as India’s premier fusion of sports and entertainment.
The launch of a New Delhi team, combined with Salman Khan’s involvement, marks an exciting new phase in the league’s expansion and cultural relevance.
ISPL is supported by a prominent core committee including Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar, Asian Cricket Council member and Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar, Minal Amol Kale, and Suraj Samat. The league aims to connect grassroots talent with professional cricket, offering a dynamic platform for street cricketers across India.
Core Committee Member Sachin Tendulkar reflected on the league’s journey, saying the love and enthusiasm from fans over the last two seasons have greatly inspired players from all walks of life. He expressed confidence that the new team will attract even more fans and give players additional motivation.
Ashish Shelar highlighted ISPL’s rising popularity across both television and digital platforms, and welcomed Salman Khan’s entry as a major boost ahead of Season 3.
Minal Amol Kale noted that with over 4.2 million registrations for the upcoming season, the league’s growth is undeniable, and Salman’s addition will only elevate its impact.
League Commissioner Suraj Samat revealed that another franchise from Ahmedabad, with a big-name celebrity owner, will soon be announced.
Salman Khan now joins a star-studded group of team owners including Amitabh Bachchan (Majhi Mumbai), Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan (Tiigers of Kolkata), Akshay Kumar (Srinagar Ke Veer), Suriya (Chennai Singams), Hrithik Roshan (Bangalore Strikers), and Ram Charan (Falcon Risers Hyderabad).
Cricket runs through the veins of India” – Salman Khan
Commenting on his association, Salman said, “Cricket runs through the veins of India, and when that energy finds a stage like ISPL, it becomes something truly special. I’ve always loved the game, and I’m excited to be part of a league that brings street talent into the spotlight and gives them a platform to shine. This is just the start—fans will soon get to know more about our team and create new bonds.”
Season 2 ended with Majhi Mumbai claiming the title. It featured breakout performances from rising talents such as Abhishek Dalhor, Sagar Ali, Rajat Mundhe, Ketan Mhatre, Jagannath Sarkar, and Fardeen Kazi. Dalhor’s consistent displays earned him a net bowling spot with the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders, highlighting ISPL’s commitment to developing future cricket stars.
Combining cricket with music and entertainment, the ISPL created an electric, carnival-like atmosphere that appealed to a wide audience.
JioStar Network’s landmark three-year deal with ISPL began with a bang in Season 2, helping the league amass 27.9 million TV viewers and 47.4 million digital video views. BARC data revealed that 43% of TV viewers were women, while 66% of digital viewers were under the age of 29—reflecting ISPL’s broad and youthful appeal.
With a new franchise and talent trials across 101 cities, Season 3 is set to be even more thrilling—promising more action, bigger dreams, and even louder cheers from fans.
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