Mumbai: The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), India’s pioneering tennis-ball T10 cricket league, has expanded its footprint by announcing Bollywood superstar and entrepreneur Ajay Devgn as the owner of its new Ahmedabad franchise. This marks another major milestone in the league’s mission to create a pan-India platform for street-cricket talent.
Launched in 2024, ISPL is driven by a visionary leadership group comprising Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar, Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar, Suraj Samat, and Minal Amol Kale. The league has been steadily building its presence across the country, having recently welcomed Bollywood icon Salman Khan as the owner of the New Delhi franchise. With Ahmedabad becoming the eighth team, ISPL is further cementing its commitment to discover raw talent and transform them into national cricketing heroes.
Sachin Tendulkar, Core Committee Member, ISPL, said, “ISPL is rooted in the idea of providing a launchpad for dreams for the young and the seasoned in tennis ball cricket. Not only shall our cricketers get the opportunity to play at the highest level, but also a stage to shine. The addition of new teams in the upcoming season will open doors for more aspiring cricketers across the country.”
Ashish Shelar, Core Committee Member, ISPL, added, “ISPL is transforming tennis-ball cricket by bringing it to a professional stage. With Ajay Devgn leading the Ahmedabad team, we’re excited to extend opportunities to talent in cricket-rich cities like Ahmedabad.”
Suraj Samat, League Commissioner and Core Committee Member, ISPL, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ajay Devgn as the owner of Ahmedabad team. He brings immense credibility, reach and energy to ISPL. His passion for cricket, combined with his business acumen, makes him a valuable addition to our league. His presence will undoubtedly inspire fans and players, particularly in Gujarat, where the love for cricket runs deep.”
Minal Amol Kale, Core Committee Member, ISPL, said, “Ahmedabad boasts a thriving sporting culture. With Mr. Devgn at the helm, we see a powerful opportunity to engage local communities and inspire the next generation of players. This move strengthens our ambition of transforming ISPL into a truly pan-India movement.”
A passionate cricket fan and strategic investor, Ajay Devgn has previously backed ventures in tennis, MMA, and cricket. His association with ISPL reinforces his commitment to nurturing grassroots sports and promoting innovative formats. He also shares a strong connection with Ahmedabad, having invested in the city through the launch of his state-of-the-art NY Cinemas multiplex.
Expressing his excitement, Ajay Devgn commented: “ISPL, with its innovative format, has not only discovered fresh talent but also given them a much-needed platform to shine. As the team owner of the Ahmedabad franchise, representing a city with such a rich sporting spirit, it is time for the entire nation to come together and celebrate India’s champions.”
With Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan joining the line-up, ISPL now features a galaxy of celebrity team owners, including Amitabh Bachchan (Majhi Mumbai), Saif Ali Khan & Kareena Kapoor Khan (Tiigers of Kolkata), Akshay Kumar (Srinagar Ke Veer), Suriya (Chennai Singams), Hrithik Roshan (Bangalore Strikers), and Ram Charan (Falcon Risers Hyderabad).
ISPL has already crossed 4.2 million player registrations for its upcoming third season, with trials scheduled across 101 cities nationwide. Registrations remain open at www.ispl-t10.com.
