Bengal T20 League Sets Record with Major Player Auction
Record-Breaking Player Auction
The Bengal T20 League has concluded its largest player auction to date, with franchises investing over Rs 4.5 crore for their Men's and Women's teams. A total of more than 250 players secured contracts from a pool of over 1,000 cricketers ahead of the 2026 season, as reported in an official release.
Intense Bidding and Strategic Moves
The auction featured fierce bidding battles, strategic use of Right to Match (RTM) options, and significant investments in Bengal's emerging talent, including U19 and U15 players.
Player Signings Overview
Franchises finalized 136 signings for the Men's teams and 128 for the Women's teams during the two auction events.
Each Men's franchise built a squad of 17 players, ensuring at least two U19 players were included. Meanwhile, Women's teams formed 16-player squads with a minimum of two U15 players, emphasizing the league's commitment to grassroots development.
Top Signings in Men's Auction
The inaugural Men's Auction saw several high-value transactions, with IPL and India all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed being the most expensive player at Rs 12.20 lakh, retained by Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers via RTM.
Numerous players exceeded the Rs 8 lakh threshold as franchises vied for Bengal's top domestic talents, IPL stars, and promising newcomers.
Women's Auction Highlights
The Women's Auction also showcased robust investments, with over 10 players surpassing the Rs 2 lakh mark. Notably, all players in the A+ category were successfully acquired, indicating a strong demand.
Mita Paul topped the Women's Auction at Rs 3 lakh, retained by Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers through RTM, while 13-year-old Ariktha Manna stood out, being picked for Rs 1.55 lakh by Rashmi Medinipur Wizards.
Financial Overview of Women's Auction
Franchises collectively invested nearly Rs 88 lakh in the Women's Auction alone.
Official Statement
Mr. Bablu Kolay, Honorary Secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal, remarked, "The enthusiasm and participation seen during both auction days highlight the growing excitement surrounding the Bengal T20 League and the opportunities it creates for players throughout Bengal. The league is committed to providing a competitive platform for established cricketers while also nurturing the next generation of talent across various age groups."
Men's Auction - Top 10 Highest Picks
1. Shahbaz Ahmed - Rs 12.20 lakh (RTM) - Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers
2. Abishek Porel - Rs 10.40 lakh - Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers
3. Mukesh Kumar - Rs 9.60 lakh (RTM) - Sobisco Smashers Malda
4. Sudip Kumar Gharami - Rs 9.40 lakh - Novus Purulia Royals
5. Yuvraj Deepak Keswani - Rs 8.60 lakh - Novus Purulia Royals
6. Saksham Chaudhary - Rs 8.40 lakh - Murshidabad Kings
7. Writtick Chatterjee - Rs 8.20 lakh - Adamas Howrah Warriors
8. Ravi Kumar (U19) - Rs 7.80 lakh - Novus Purulia Royals
9. Rohit (U16) - Rs 5.20 lakh - Novus Purulia Royals
10. Subham Sarkar - Rs 4.8 lakh - Rashmi Medinipur Wizards
Women's Auction - Top 10 Highest Picks
1. Mita Paul - Rs 3 lakh (RTM) - Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers
2. Dhara Gujjar - Rs 2.85 lakh - Novus Purulia Royals
3. Tanushree Sarkar - Rs 2.35 lakh (RTM) - Murshidabad Kueens
4. Priyanka Bala - Rs 2.25 lakh (RTM) - Servotech Siliguri Strikers
5. Prativa Rana - Rs 2.15 lakh (RTM) - Murshidabad Kueens
6. Hrishita Basu - Rs 2.10 lakh - Rashmi Medinipur Wizards
7. Piyali Ghosh - Rs 2.10 lakh (RTM) - Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers
8. Sujata Dey - Rs 2.05 lakh - Adamas Howrah Warriors
9. Prativa Mandi (U19) - Rs 2.05 lakh - Sobisco Smashers Malda
10. Trishita Sarkar - Rs 2.05 lakh - Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers
Emerging Talent Highlights
1. Ariktha Manna (13 years, U15) - Rs 1.55 lakh - Rashmi Medinipur Wizards
2. Debasmita Khalsa (14 years, U15) - Rs 0.65 lakh - Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers
3. Manushri Rajak (14 years, U15) - Rs 0.50 lakh - Rashmi Medinipur Wizards
4. Sneha Mahato (14 years, U15) - Rs 0.48 lakh - Servotech Siliguri Strikers
5. Saikh Athiana (14 years, U15) - Rs 0.40 lakh - Sobisco Smashers Malda
6. Tanisha Das (14 years, U15) - Rs 0.34 lakh - Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers
7. Protistha Dutta (14 years, U15) - Rs 0.32 lakh - Adamas Howrah Warriors
8. Piyali Roy (13 years, U15) - Rs 0.30 lakh - Novus Purulia Royals
League Expansion
The auctions also marked the continued growth of the Bengal T20 League ecosystem, with Novus Purulia Royals joining other franchises such as Adamas Howrah Warriors, Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers, Murshidabad Kueens, Rashmi Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda for the upcoming season.
Franchise owners, coaches, and team representatives expressed optimism about the squads formed and the league's increasing influence on cricket development in Bengal.