APL auction on July 19: ACA chief Gogoi says Assam cricketers finally get their platform
Synopsis
Assam is finally getting its own franchise cricket league — and the ACA chief wants every fan in the state to feel ownership of it. With 275 players from every district going under the hammer on 19 July and the first match set for 1 August, the APL is both a competitive tournament and a BCCI domestic selection audition for emerging Assam talent.
Key Takeaways
The inaugural Assam Premier League (APL) player auction is scheduled for 19 July at the 91 Yards Club, ACA Stadium, Guwahati .
275 players — including 20 marquee cricketers from Assam's senior domestic circuit — will be auctioned to eight franchises .
All 20 marquee players have represented Assam in BCCI domestic competitions.
ACA president Taranga Gogoi said Assam has 'waited a long time' for a platform of its own.
The APL's maiden season opens on 1 August , with league performances expected to aid BCCI domestic selection.
Assam Cricket Association (ACA) president Taranga Gogoi has said the inaugural Assam Premier League (APL) player auction, set for 19 July in Guwahati, marks the beginning of a long-overdue competitive platform for cricketers across the state. A total of 275 shortlisted players will go under the hammer, with eight franchises assembling their squads for the league's maiden season.
Auction Details and Venue
The first-ever APL auction will take place at the 91 Yards Club at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Eight franchise teams will bid for players drawn from across Assam, with the league's opening match scheduled for 1 August. The auction represents the moment the tournament transitions from planning to reality for hundreds of state cricketers.
What Gogoi Said
Speaking ahead of the auction, Gogoi underlined the emotional and structural significance of the league for Assam cricket. 'The auction on July 19 is the day this league becomes real for our players. Cricketers from every district of Assam have put their names forward, and in a week, they will know which of the eight teams they will represent,' he said. 'When the first match is played on 1st August, we want every fan in the state to feel that this league belongs to them. Assam has waited a long time for a platform of its own, and we intend to make the first season one to remember,' Gogoi added.
The Marquee Player Pool
The 275-player pool includes 20 marquee cricketers drawn from Assam's senior domestic circuit and more than 250 players in the general category. All 20 marquee players have represented Assam in BCCI domestic competitions and are expected to attract strong franchise interest.
Batters and all-rounders headlining the marquee list include Denish Das, Sibsankar Roy, Sumit Kashyap, Swarupam Purkayastha, and Jitumoni Kalita. The bowling contingent features Mrinmoy Dutta, Muktar Hussain, Avinav Choudhary, Rahul Singh, Sadak Hussain, and Bhargab Pratim Lakhar. The batting pool is further bolstered by Saahil Jain, Pradyun Saikia, and Saurav Mousum Dihingia, with Abdul Ajij Kuraishi, Akash Sengupta, and Ayushman Malakar providing all-round options. Wicketkeepers Sumit Ghadigaonkar, Rohit Sen, and Ruhinandan Pegu round out the marquee group.
Beyond the Tournament: A Pathway for Emerging Talent
The APL is designed to serve a dual purpose. While it offers a competitive franchise format, league performances are also expected to inform selection for the upcoming BCCI domestic season, making it a meaningful audition for players seeking to advance their careers. This comes amid a broader push by state associations across India to build feeder structures beneath the national domestic circuit. For Assam, a state that has produced several notable BCCI-level performers in recent years, the APL could accelerate that pipeline considerably.
With the auction days away and the first ball set to be bowled on 1 August, the APL's inaugural season will be closely watched as a test of whether franchise cricket can take root and thrive in the Northeast.
Point of View
Sending players into the BCCI domestic system without the competitive franchise infrastructure that states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have leveraged for decades. The decision to link APL performance to BCCI domestic selection is the smartest structural choice the ACA could have made; it gives the league stakes beyond entertainment. The real test will come in year two: whether franchises invest, whether broadcast or streaming interest materialises, and whether the talent pipeline actually produces BCCI call-ups. A single memorable season is achievable — sustaining it is where most state leagues have faltered.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Assam Premier League player auction?
The inaugural APL player auction is scheduled for 19 July at the 91 Yards Club at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. Eight franchises will bid for 275 shortlisted players from across Assam.
When does the Assam Premier League season begin?
The APL's maiden season is set to begin on 1 August. The auction on 19 July will determine which players represent each of the eight franchises.
Who are the marquee players in the APL auction?
The 20 marquee players include batters and all-rounders Denish Das, Sibsankar Roy, Sumit Kashyap, Swarupam Purkayastha, and Jitumoni Kalita, bowlers Mrinmoy Dutta, Muktar Hussain, Avinav Choudhary, Rahul Singh, Sadak Hussain, and Bhargab Pratim Lakhar, and wicketkeepers Sumit Ghadigaonkar, Rohit Sen, and Ruhinandan Pegu, among others. All 20 have represented Assam in BCCI domestic competitions.
Why is the Assam Premier League significant for local cricketers?
The APL gives Assam cricketers a structured franchise platform for the first time, with performances expected to directly influence selection for the upcoming BCCI domestic season. ACA president Taranga Gogoi described it as a long-awaited opportunity for players from every district in the state.
How many players are in the APL auction pool?
The auction pool comprises 275 shortlisted players — 20 marquee cricketers from Assam's senior domestic circuit and more than 250 in the general category.
