The Delhi Premier League (DPL) is making a splash ahead of its second season, with the auction slated for July 5. The league gained traction last year, in part for unearthing IPL-level players, although also faced scrutiny, and now has a handful of well-named players as part of its preliminary draft list, including several other names who come from famous cricketing families.
This year has moved to focus on the next generation of those families. For example, Aaryaveer Kohli, the nephew of Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, appears on the list. He is joined by Aaryavir and Vedant Sehwag, the sons of batting great Virender Sehwag. Their participation adds another layer of intrigue to the auction.
Meanwhile, the first season of the DPL was a tremendous success delivering what it promised: an opportunity for local players to display their talents, several ultimately earning a right to contracts in the IPL.
The new format has transformed into an events based celebration of cricket – and with the league gaining momentum – the league as it continues is now in the position to present are growing cohort of younger players who may become or embody the future stars for Indian cricket. This year with family connections to cricket greats, has the chance to be one to remember in 2025.
The Next Generation Has Arrived
The DPL auction list contains many young players who have solid cricket pedigrees. All of the above names are not just hype, they have all come with foundations from junior cricket stages.
Aaryaveer Kohli: The 15-year-old nephew of Virat Kohli is already establishing himself. Aaryaveer is the son of Virat’s older brother, Vikas Kohli. However, unlike his uncle, he bowls leg-spin. He practices at the West Delhi Cricket Academy under Raj Kumar Sharma, who was Virat’s childhood coach. Aaryaveer has got Category C; the category for registered Under-16 Delhi players.
Aaryavir Sehwag: Another player who is in the auction, is Aaryavir Sehwag, the older son of Virender Sehwag, who is seventeen. He has played for the Delhi Under-19 side and has demonstrated power hitting, including an incredible 297 against Meghalaya. Finally, he is listed in Category B.
Vedant Sehwag: Making his debut with Aaryavir is his younger brother, the fifteen-year-old off-spinner, Vedant Sehwag. Vedant has already played for the Delhi Under-16 team. Now, to have both of Sehwag’s sons in the draft, only adds to the family legacy in Delhi cricket.
More about the Delhi Premier League
The DPL worked hard to establish itself as a solid domestic T20 league. In its first season, the results reflected this work, with East Delhi Riders winning a close final against South Delhi Superstarz by just 3 runs. Early on, DPL had established itself as a place where players could gain visibility from IPL franchises.
The 2025 season is going to be more exciting!
The league will expand from six to eight teams. The two franchises adding in will be Outer Delhi and New Delhi, which will bring the DPL to 8 teams over the original two.
The original teams are:
– East Delhi Riders
– North Delhi Strikers
– West Delhi Lions
– South Delhi Superstarz
– Purani Dilli 6
– Central Delhi Kings
This expansion provides loads more opportunity for players, and loads more cricket for local cricket fans. The expansion and growth of the league is another demonstration of the commitment to developing cricket talent in the area.
A Clear Path to the Top
The DPL has already shown that it can be used to go on to the IPL. During its first season, the league assisted many players in realizing their dreams. After Priyansh Arya scored six sixes in one over in a DPL game, he became a headline name, and was signed for a big money contract with the Punjab Kings in the IPL after his performance. Similarly, we see Digvesh Rathi get picked up by the Lucknow Super Giants and have a solid season taking 14 wickets.
Seeing stories like these gives young players the belief that they can use the DPL to advance to greater things. It gives them a focus, as well as showing the players that there are top scouts watching the games closely. For players like Aaryaveer Kohli and the Sehwag brothers, it provides an opportunity for them to show they belong on the big stage based on their talent and hard work.
Keeping Up With the Cricket Action
From an avid cricket fan or supporter perspective, for those who want to stay close to the action, and leagues such as the DPL, there are multiple ways to stay in touch with what going on. There are online platforms that provide information and ways to engage. Cricmatch is a platform that was created to address the cricket-supporting fan/commercially led follower, who keeps close to the action – major tournaments including the IPL and T20 leagues across the world.
These sites typically provide a the complete website view to obtain live updates with various stats. The access to information regarding individual players, teams, and matches is well-organized thanks to these sites’ clear design style. Specific to Cricmatch, typically only a Signup is required to access live match updates.
Using secured and user-friendly apps, fans can access their favorite players and teams remotely. As the DPL expands in the next 10 years, these sites will be vital in keeping fans engaged with the journey of the next group of stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Virat Kohli participating in the Delhi Premier League 2025?
No. The player listed in the auction is Virat’s 15-year-old nephew, Aaryaveer Kohli. Aaryaveer is a leg spinner and Virat’s brother Vikas’s son.
2. Are there other young players with famous family connections in the DPL auction?
Yes, in addition to Aaryaveer Kohli, you will find Aaryavir and Vedant Sehwag (the sons of former world cricket captain Virender Sehwag) on the auction list. Aaryavir is 17 and is a batsman. Vedant is 15 and is an off-spin bowler.
3. What is the Delhi Premier League and why is it important?
The Delhi Premier League is a T20 cricket tournament that encourages the growth of local talent in Delhi. It is important because it has already started to provide a spring-board for players to be noticed by IPL franchises. During the first season of the DPL players like Priyansh Arya and Digvesh Rathi earned themselves IPL contracts following their good performances in the DPL.
4. How many teams are in the DPL 2025 season?
The DPL is expanding from six to eight teams for season two. The new franchises Outer Delhi and New Delhi will be joining the six teams from season one.
