Denish Das tops APL auction at ₹12.60 lakh as Assam Premier League squads take shape
Synopsis
Denish Das became the most expensive player in the Assam Premier League's marquee auction, fetching ₹12.60 lakh from Barpeta Braves. With eight franchises competing and the inaugural season kicking off on 1 August, the APL auction signals a serious structural push to give Assam's domestic cricketers a high-profile competitive stage.
Key Takeaways
Denish Das topped the APL marquee auction at ₹12.60 lakh , secured by Barpeta Braves on 19 July .
Sumit Ghadigaonkar (₹12.20 lakh, Charaideo Sunrisers) and Sibsankar Roy (₹12 lakh, Barak Legends) were the next-highest buys.
Ayushman Malakar and Swarupam Purkayastha each fetched ₹11.80 lakh for Tezpur Titans and Jorhat Stallions respectively.
The Assam Premier League inaugural season is set to begin on 1 August with 8 franchises .
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has described the league as a platform to give Assam's cricketing talent competitive exposure.
Denish Das emerged as the costliest buy in the marquee player round of the Assam Premier League (APL) Player Auction held in Guwahati on Sunday, 19 July, with Barpeta Braves securing his services for ₹12.60 lakh after a competitive round of bidding. The auction marked the first major squad-building exercise ahead of the inaugural APL season, scheduled to begin on 1 August.
Top Marquee Player Buys
Sumit Ghadigaonkar was the second-highest acquisition among the marquee pool, with Charaideo Sunrisers landing him for ₹12.20 lakh. Experienced Assam batter Sibsankar Roy went to Barak Legends for ₹12 lakh, rounding out the top three.
Ayushman Malakar and Swarupam Purkayastha completed the top five, fetching ₹11.80 lakh each — Malakar joining Tezpur Titans and Purkayastha heading to Jorhat Stallions.
Other Notable Acquisitions
Barak Legends added further depth by picking up Abdul Ajij Kuraishi for ₹8.40 lakh and Bhargab Lakhar for ₹5.20 lakh. Barpeta Braves, already having secured Das, reinforced their squad with Saurav Dihingia at ₹7.80 lakh.
Dibrugarh Warriors brought in Saahil Jain for ₹7.20 lakh and Jitumoni Kalita for ₹6.20 lakh, signalling a strategy built around local domestic talent.
Eight Franchises Set for Inaugural Season
The APL will feature eight franchises in its debut edition: Jorhat Stallions, Tezpur Titans, Dibrugarh Warriors, Barak Legends, Nagaon Rangers, Barpeta Braves, Guwahati Royals, and Charaideo Sunrisers. The marquee round set the competitive tone for the day, with franchises continuing to bid for players from the wider pool.
What the League Means for Assam Cricket
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had underlined the league's purpose at its launch: 'Assam possesses immense cricketing potential, and a platform of this nature will help talented players gain valuable competitive exposure.' The APL is widely seen as a vehicle to surface domestic talent that might otherwise struggle to find high-stakes competitive cricket outside the Ranji circuit.
With the marquee round concluded, franchises will continue building their rosters from the remaining player pool as the 1 August start date approaches.
Point of View
But that misses the point entirely. For a state that has long produced solid domestic cricketers who rarely get national visibility, a franchise league with structured bidding — and a BCCI secretary publicly backing it — is a meaningful institutional signal. The real test will be whether the APL creates a genuine pipeline or remains a one-season showcase. Assam cricket has the talent; what it has historically lacked is a stage with stakes.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the most expensive player at the APL auction?
Denish Das was the highest-priced buy in the Assam Premier League marquee auction, with Barpeta Braves securing him for ₹12.60 lakh on 19 July. He topped a competitive marquee round featuring several of Assam's leading domestic cricketers.
When does the Assam Premier League inaugural season begin?
The inaugural Assam Premier League season is scheduled to begin on 1 August. Eight franchises will compete in the debut edition of the league.
Which franchises are competing in the Assam Premier League?
The eight franchises are Jorhat Stallions, Tezpur Titans, Dibrugarh Warriors, Barak Legends, Nagaon Rangers, Barpeta Braves, Guwahati Royals, and Charaideo Sunrisers.
What did BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia say about the APL?
Devajit Saikia said at the league's launch: 'Assam possesses immense cricketing potential, and a platform of this nature will help talented players gain valuable competitive exposure.' His remarks positioned the APL as a developmental vehicle for domestic talent.
Who were the other top buys in the APL marquee round?
Sumit Ghadigaonkar (₹12.20 lakh, Charaideo Sunrisers), Sibsankar Roy (₹12 lakh, Barak Legends), Ayushman Malakar (₹11.80 lakh, Tezpur Titans), and Swarupam Purkayastha (₹11.80 lakh, Jorhat Stallions) rounded out the top five marquee acquisitions.
