DDCA Hot Weather Tournament 2025 begins; Jaitley calls it North India's oldest
Synopsis
North India's oldest club cricket tournament is back — and it's bigger than ever. The DDCA Hot Weather Tournament, running for over 60 years, now draws from a pool of 113 clubs and 1,100 annual matches, with 36 elite sides battling for one of Delhi cricket's most coveted titles. A 10% prize money hike signals the association is serious about raising the stakes.
Key Takeaways
The DDCA Hot Weather Tournament commenced on 9 June 2025 in New Delhi .
36 clubs qualified from a pool of 113 teams competing in approximately 1,100 annual Open League matches .
DDCA president Rohan Jaitley called it the oldest club cricket tournament in North India , now running for over 60 years .
The tournament was formerly known as the LG Cup ; it carries no age restriction and awards qualification purely on merit.
Prize money has been increased by 10% this edition, according to coach Rajkumar Sharma .
DDCA's Women's Cricket League has also recently launched, with 60 teams participating.
The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) kicked off its celebrated Hot Weather Tournament on Tuesday, 9 June in New Delhi, with DDCA president Rohan Jaitley describing the competition as the oldest club cricket tournament in North India and a vital platform for unearthing the capital's finest talent.
A total of 36 clubs — drawn from the top performers across DDCA's Open League, which features 113 teams and approximately 1,100 matches annually — have qualified for this edition. The tournament is expected to conclude within 30 to 35 days.
What the Tournament Offers
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jaitley underlined the competition's inclusive yet merit-driven structure. 'This is the DDCA Hot Weather Tournament. It is not only the oldest tournament in Delhi but also in North India,' he said. 'There is no age criterion, and it brings out the best talent based on performances throughout the year for their clubs.'
The limited-overs format gives club cricketers multi-match exposure against the city's strongest sides — a crucial proving ground for players eyeing higher honours. Qualification is earned purely through on-field performance in the Open League, with no direct selection or discretionary picks involved.
Scale of DDCA's Domestic Structure
DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma elaborated on the breadth of the association's year-round cricket calendar. 'Around 1,100 league matches are held annually, and the top-performing teams are selected from this pool,' he said. Sharma confirmed that the tournament has been running for over 60 years and was formerly known as the LG Cup before being renamed the Hot Weather Tournament.
Sharma also highlighted the association's expanding women's cricket programme. 'A few days ago, we started the Women's Cricket League. 60 teams are playing in the Women's Cricket League. 111 teams are playing in the Men's Cricket League,' he said, noting that BCCI selection calls are made based on performance data gathered through this structure.
Rajkumar Sharma's Endorsement
Veteran coach Rajkumar Sharma — widely recognised as the man who mentored Virat Kohli during his formative years — was also present at the ceremony. He described the event as one of DDCA's flagship tournaments and welcomed a recent increase in prize money. 'I am happy that the President has increased the prize money by 10%,' he said, though the absolute prize amount was not disclosed at the ceremony.
What Happens Next
The 36 participating clubs will now compete across the tournament's limited-overs rounds over the next month. With BCCI selectors known to monitor the DDCA ecosystem closely, strong performers here can attract attention at the next level. The Hot Weather Tournament remains one of the most sought-after titles on Delhi's club cricket circuit.
Point of View
Which remains one of the most robust in the country. But the real story is structural: with 1,100 matches feeding into a 36-team finale, Delhi's pipeline is genuinely data-driven, not patronage-driven. The 10% prize money increase is a small but meaningful signal that the association recognises player welfare. The question now is whether BCCI's selection machinery is consistently watching this ecosystem — because if it is, the Hot Weather Tournament is not just a local trophy; it is a national talent filter.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DDCA Hot Weather Tournament?
The DDCA Hot Weather Tournament is the oldest club cricket competition in Delhi and, according to DDCA officials, in North India, with a history spanning over 60 years. It is a limited-overs event featuring the top 36 teams from DDCA's annual Open League, which itself involves 113 clubs and around 1,100 matches each year.
How do teams qualify for the Hot Weather Tournament?
Teams qualify solely on merit — the top 36 performers from DDCA's Open League across the year earn a place in the tournament. There is no age restriction or direct selection; qualification is determined entirely by on-field statistics.
Who is Rohan Jaitley and what did he say about the tournament?
Rohan Jaitley is the president of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA). At the opening ceremony on 9 June, he described the Hot Weather Tournament as the oldest in North India and emphasised its role in identifying the best club talent in the capital through a performance-based, age-unrestricted format.
What is the significance of Rajkumar Sharma's presence at the ceremony?
Rajkumar Sharma is a veteran Delhi cricket coach best known for mentoring Virat Kohli during his early years. His presence at the opening ceremony underscored the tournament's prestige. He also confirmed that prize money has been increased by 10% this edition.
How long will the 2025 Hot Weather Tournament last?
The tournament is expected to conclude within 30 to 35 days from its start date of 9 June 2025, with all 36 clubs competing across the limited-overs rounds.
