The Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), the country’s first and largest tennis-ball cricket league, is already generating significant buzz ahead of its third season. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is now the owner of a new Delhi franchise for the league.
Salman Khan and ISPL: “भाईjaan” Salman Khan, Bollywood’s most popular star, is set to become a ‘captain’ in the cricket world! Just before the third season of the hugely popular tennis-ball T10 league, ISPL (Indian Street Premier League), Salman has made a b entry into the world of cricket. He has acquired ownership of the New Delhi franchise. This entry by Salman is being viewed as a game-changer for the league, and there are also speculations that it will provide a new boost and platform for young players.
Why Salman’s Entry is Special in ISPL?
ISPL has already established itself as a reliable and exciting cricket platform with two successful seasons. With a superstar like Salman Khan now involved, its popularity is sure to increase significantly. Speaking after the announcement of the Delhi franchise before the third season, Salman said: “Cricket is the heartbeat of every Indian street. Platforms like ISPL not only give these young players a big stage, but also give them the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. I am very excited to be a part of this league. This is just the beginning.”
Stars Shine Brighter in ISPL
Salman Khan is not the first actor to join ISPL. Several other film stars have already linked themselves to the league:
- Amitabh Bachchan – Mumbai Maji
- Akshay Kumar – Srinagar’s Veer
- Saif Ali Khan & Kareena Kapoor Khan – Tigers of Kolkata
- Hrithik Roshan – Bangalore Strikers
- Surya – Chennai Singhms
- Ram Charan – Falcon Riders Hyderabad
ISPL Growth Graph: From Viewership to Registrations
Season 2 of ISPL recorded record-breaking viewership. Here’s a breakdown of the figures:
- TV Viewers: 27.9 million
- Digital Views: 47.4 million
- Female Viewers (TV): 43%
- Young Viewers (Digital): 66% (Age 29 years or less)
As of now, over 4.2 million players have registered for the third season, which is a significant indicator of the league’s grassroots presence and potential.
Key Role of the Steering Committee
The ISPL Steering Committee comprises prominent and experienced figures from the country:
- Sachin Tendulkar (Bharat Ratna, League Mentor)
- Ashish Shelkar (Central Minister, Asian Cricket Council Member)
- Minnal Amol Kale
- Suraj Samat (League Commissioner)
Sachin Tendulkar, commenting on the league’s growing impact, said: “ISPL has been fulfilling the dream of recognizing cricketers from every street. Salman’s involvement will further boost the confidence of the players. Now, there’s news of a new franchise joining from Ahmedabad, which will be owned by another prominent celebrity. Furthermore, a talent hunt is already underway in 101 cities, bringing talent to the fore from across the country.”
