Himachal Pradesh News
IPL 2026 Auction : No takers for Himachal cricketers in IPL auction; HPCA pins hopes on state premier league
None of the seven Himachal players found buyers in the IPL auction. HPCA plans a state premier league to improve future IPL prospects.
None of the seven cricketers from Himachal Pradesh who entered the IPL auction pool managed to attract bids from any franchise this year, marking a setback for the state’s cricketing aspirations. However, officials and coaches believe the situation could change in the coming seasons with structural reforms underway.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) secretary Avnish Parmar said the association is planning to launch a state-level premier league on the lines of the IPL from the next season. “HPCA will start a state premier league similar to the IPL. This initiative will significantly boost the chances of our players getting noticed and picked in future IPL auctions,” Parmar said.
The absence of a state premier league is widely seen as a major disadvantage for Himachal players. Members of the state’s cricketing fraternity said that most states now run their own televised T20 leagues, which serve as important scouting platforms for IPL franchises.
“Almost every major state has its own premier league, which is broadcast live. IPL scouts closely follow these tournaments and identify players who can fit into their teams,” said a senior cricket coach from the state.
Over the years, such leagues have evolved into feeder systems for the IPL, particularly for uncapped and lesser-known players. Scouts are able to assess players’ skills, temperament and adaptability across match situations without needing to watch them in person.
Parmar said HPCA plans to constitute at least five teams for the proposed league, which will then be auctioned in a format similar to the IPL. “The franchises will select players from the available pool, and the entire tournament will be hosted at the Dharamsala stadium,” he added.
While Himachal’s male cricketers are currently struggling to break into the IPL or the national side, the state’s women cricketers continue to shine at the highest level. Players such as Renuka Thakur and Harleen Deol were part of India’s 50-over World Cup-winning squad, and Himachal’s presence in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has also grown steadily.
At present, four players — Renuka Thakur, Harleen Deol, Tanuja Kanwar and Shivani Singh — are representing different franchises in the WPL.
“The girls are undoubtedly doing extremely well,” said a senior coach. “Our boys’ team is currently in a transitional phase. Once the new players gain experience and the state premier league becomes operational, the boys will start attracting greater attention from IPL franchises.”
