Retained Players’ List Released Ahead of ISPL Season 3 Auction
Mumbai: The excitement is palpable as the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), the country’s first-ever tennis-ball T10 tournament, has unveiled its list of retained players ahead of the much-anticipated Season 3 Player Auction set for Tuesday in Mumbai. Key stars from the previous edition, like Abhishek Dalhor from Majhi Mumbai and Jagannath Sarkar from Chennai Singams, stand out as retained players. Abhishek has been retained for a notable ₹26.65 lakh, while Jagannath will continue for ₹20.02 lakh.
For the first time, ISPL has implemented a player retention system that allows each franchise to keep one exceptional performer ahead of the auction. This strategic move adds a new layer of excitement to the season, making the upcoming bidding process not only competitive but also more impactful.
Abhishek Dalhor was a remarkable performer in the last season, stepping up in crucial moments. His performance has been so impressive that he has been selected as a net bowler for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025. This achievement highlights ISPL’s role as a significant platform for emerging talent. On the other hand, Jagannath Sarkar proved his worth as a reliable top-order batsman for Chennai Singams, consistently anchoring chases and accelerating when necessary. His impact during critical matches has made him an invaluable asset for the team.
Other prominent players who have been retained include Bhavesh Pawar from Tiigers of Kolkata, retained for ₹11.05 lakh, and Mansoor KL from Falcon Risers Hyderabad, who has been retained for ₹4.5 lakh. Their consistent performances last season underline the franchises’ trust in them as central figures in their plans for Season 3.
The ISPL enjoys support from a strong leadership group. Core committee members like Sachin Tendulkar, Ashish Shelar, Minal Amol Kale, and Suraj Samat have played pivotal roles in the league’s growth and popularity. Suraj Samat, who is also the League Commissioner, stated, “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.”
He further emphasized, “With increased team budgets, new franchises joining, and 408 players from 101 cities vying for a spot, the stage is set for teams to build strong line-ups that will elevate the sport to new heights.”
Dipak Chauhan, President of Operations, reiterated the importance of this retention system. He mentioned, “Our aim is to ensure smooth operations while creating a fair and competitive environment. With higher team budgets, improved auction rules, and two new franchises joining, Season 3 promises to be the most thrilling season yet. We are looking forward to a well-structured auction that continues to support ISPL’s growth.”
The upcoming Season 3 Player Auction is packed with exciting features, including a unique “Googly Power” mechanism enabling sudden ₹1 lakh bid jumps. Teams will see their budgets expand from ₹1 crore to ₹1.5 crore, and squad sizes have been increased to 18 players. Each team will need to include at least two U-19 players and ensure they have representation from different zones.
This season will be held at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat from January 9 to February 6, 2026. There’s also a thrilling reward for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season, who will drive home a brand-new Porsche 911. This addition is expected to motivate players and raise the stakes significantly.
Moreover, two new franchises are joining this season: Delhi Superheroes led by Bollywood star Salman Khan and Ahmedabad Lions owned by Ajay Devgn. They will compete alongside established teams like Majhi Mumbai, Tiigers of Kolkata, Chennai Singams, Bengaluru Strikers, and more.
Fans can catch all the action of the ISPL Season 3 Auction live on the Star Sports Network and JioHotstar.
Retained Players List:
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Majhi Mumbai:
- Abhishek Dalhor: ₹26.65 lakh
- Purse Remaining: ₹1.23 crore
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Chennai Singams:
- Jagannath Sarkar: ₹20.02 lakh
- Purse Remaining: ₹1.30 crore
-
Tiigers of Kolkata:
- Bhavesh Pawar: ₹11.05 lakh
- Purse Remaining: ₹1.39 crore
-
Falcon Risers Hyderabad:
- Mansoor KL: ₹4.5 lakh
- Purse Remaining: ₹1.46 crore
Franchises like Delhi Superheroes, Ahmedabad Lions, Srinagar Ke Veer, and Bengaluru Strikers all hold a purse size of ₹1.5 crore.
Hashtags: #ISPL2026 #TennisBallCricket #IndianStreetPremierLeague #SportsAnnouncement #PlayerRetention #CricketAuction #ExcitingSeasonAhead #MumbaiSports #CricketFans
Original Text – https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/cricket/the-indian-street-premier-league-ispl-indias-pioneering-tennis-ball-t10-tournament-has-announced-its-list-of-retained-players-1922316