The Delhi Premier League (DPL) Season 3 is set to kick off on 31 July at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with captains of all eight franchises assembling at the official pre-season press conference on Wednesday, 29 July to share their ambitions for what organisers are billing as the biggest edition yet. The month-long T20 tournament, organised by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), will run through 30 August.

Opening Fixture and Tournament Format

The season opener will see Central Delhi Kings face Purani Dilli 6 on 31 July at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. All eight franchises finalised their squads following a player auction held earlier this month. The competition concludes with the final on 30 August, as teams battle for the coveted DPL trophy.

Captains Speak: Confidence and Ambition

Newly-appointed Purani Dilli 6 captain Anuj Rawat expressed pride at leading his side. 'It is an honour to captain Purani Dilli 6. We have assembled a balanced squad with a good mix of experienced and young players. The atmosphere around the league is fantastic, and we are looking forward to playing in front of our home fans. The aim is to play positive cricket and give our best in every match,' he said.

South Delhi Superstarz captain Ayush Badoni stressed the competitive quality of the field. 'The quality of cricket in the DPL has been outstanding, and every team looks competitive this season. We have prepared well and are excited to get onto the field. Hopefully, we can entertain the fans and perform consistently throughout the tournament,' Badoni said.

Defending champions West Delhi Lions were represented by vice-captain Ayush Doseja, who acknowledged the fresh challenge of retaining the title. 'Winning the title last season has given us confidence, but this is a new season with fresh challenges. Every team has strengthened its squad, so we know it won't be easy. We are focused on playing good cricket and defending our championship,' he said.

Other Skippers on Their Squads and Goals

Outer Delhi Warriors skipper Siddhant Sharma said the squad chemistry since the auction has been a positive sign. 'The team environment has been excellent since the auction. Everyone is eager to contribute, and we have worked hard in preparation. We are excited to begin the season and hope to make our supporters proud,' Sharma said.

Central Delhi Kings captain Yash Dhull — one of Delhi cricket's most recognisable names — emphasised consistency as the key. 'The DPL provides a wonderful platform for Delhi's cricketers to showcase their talent. We have built a strong unit, and the goal is to play fearless cricket while maintaining consistency throughout the tournament,' Dhull said.

East Delhi Riders captain Mayank Rawat highlighted the depth of talent across the competition. 'There is tremendous excitement within the squad. Every player is motivated, and we are looking forward to competing against some of the best talent in Delhi. It promises to be a great tournament,' he said.

North Delhi Strikers captain Sarthak Ranjan pointed to the league's rising standards. 'The standard of the competition keeps improving every year, which makes it even more exciting. We are confident in our preparations and can't wait to get started. Our focus is on playing disciplined and aggressive cricket,' Ranjan said.

New Delhi Tigers captain Himmat Singh called the DPL one of the premier domestic T20 leagues in the country. 'All teams are well-balanced, and the competition will be intense. We are eager to begin our campaign and give the fans plenty to cheer about,' Singh added.

What This Season Means for Delhi Cricket

Now in its third year, the DPL has steadily grown into a meaningful pathway for Delhi's domestic talent, offering competitive T20 exposure ahead of national selection cycles. Notably, players like Yash Dhull and Anuj Rawat have used such platforms to build visibility at the national level. With West Delhi Lions entering as defending champions, the pressure to dethrone them adds an extra layer of intrigue to the 31-day competition.

With all eight captains expressing confidence, the stage is set for what could be the most competitive DPL season to date — beginning with the Central Delhi Kings vs Purani Dilli 6 clash on 31 July at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.