The Assam Premier League concluded its inaugural edition with Barpeta Braves claiming the championship after a five-wicket victory over Guwahati Royals in the final on Sunday. The tournament featured impressive performances from both established and emerging players throughout the season.
Denish Das secured a place in the Duleep Trophy squad, finishing his Assam Premier League stint with a century in his final match. Other standout players included Rohit Sen, Bastab Roy, Shubham Kumar Gupta and Ayushman Malakar, who demonstrated the next generation of cricketing talent from the state. Overall, 150 players across eight teams from Assam participated, using the league as a platform to showcase their skills.
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The league drew significant attention from the wider cricketing community, with scouts from Indian Premier League franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru attending every match. BCCI President Mithun Manhas was also present, highlighting the increasing focus on talent emerging from Assam.
The inaugural edition featured high-quality and competitive cricket,
The inaugural edition featured high-quality and competitive cricket, including multiple innings exceeding 200 runs, successful chases of 200 or more, and thrilling last-over finishes. The final attracted over 25,000 spectators, underlining the strong support for cricket across Assam.
Taranga Gogoi, President of the Assam Cricket Association, stated: “The Assam Premier League is an important platform for the development of cricket in Assam. The performances we have seen this season demonstrate the talent that exists across the state. Providing players with regular competitive opportunities is essential for their development, and we hope this league continues to contribute to the growth of Assam cricket. The league’s success also reflects the increasing importance of state-level competitions in Indian cricket, particularly as talent continues to emerge from markets beyond the country’s traditional cricketing centres.”
Beyond the stadium, the league generated more than 100 million organic social media views without media spend, influencer campaigns or reliance on players with large social media followings. This reflects the genuine interest the league has generated through its local connections.
The competition also achieved a strong commercial start,
The competition also achieved a strong commercial start, securing 14 sponsors and partners across various categories. This diverse portfolio provides a firm foundation for the league’s commercial growth and indicates strong early confidence in the property.
Lokesh Sharma, Managing Director of TCM Sports, commented: “The APL was a wonderful celebration of cricket in Assam. It gave the people of the state a league they could truly call their own, while providing a strong platform for emerging talent to perform and gain national recognition. The performances of Denish Das, Rohit Sen, Bastab Roy, Shubham Kumar Gupta and Ayushman Malakar were particularly encouraging. The quality of cricket was outstanding, with several 200-plus scores, successful 200-run chases and matches going down to the final over. A packed stadium of 25,000 people was perhaps the strongest testimony to the place the league had already found in the hearts of local fans. The exciting cricket, emerging talent and tremendous fan engagement made it a memorable first season and raised great hopes for the future of the APL.”
Building on its work in Assam, TCM Sports continues to develop cricket ecosystems nationwide through its involvement in leagues such as TG20 in Telangana and the Maharaja Trophy in Karnataka. The organisation remains committed to creating credible platforms for local talent, providing competitive opportunities and fostering sustainable regional cricket ecosystems.
Source: thenewsmill.com
