Shahbaz Ahmed fetches ₹12.20L as Bengal T20 League auctions eight franchises' squads
Synopsis
Bengal's inaugural T20 League auction saw franchises spend aggressively to build competitive squads, with Shahbaz Ahmed commanding the highest bid at ₹12.20 lakh. The addition of the U16 category and the entry of Novus Purulia Royals signal a league focused on both immediate competition and long-term talent cultivation across the state's cricketing ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
Shahbaz Ahmed emerged as the auction's top pick at ₹12.20 lakh for Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers .
Abhishek Porel (₹10.40L) and Mukesh Kumar (₹9.60L) completed the top three buys.
Eight franchises deployed a combined purse of ₹4.08 crore across five player categories (A+, A, B, U19, U16).
Novus Purulia Royals entered as the league's eighth franchise and made aggressive buys, including Sudip Kumar Gharami (₹9.40L).
Akash Deep was retained at ₹3 lakh but remains unavailable pending fitness clearance.
Youth prospect Rohit , aged 16, was picked for ₹5.20 lakh , emphasizing long-term talent development.
Kolkata, 10 May — Shahbaz Ahmed emerged as the costliest pick at the Bengal T20 League's inaugural Men's Player Auction, commanding a ₹12.20 lakh bid from Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers via the Right to Match (RTM) route. Abhishek Porel (₹10.40L) and Mukesh Kumar (₹9.60L) rounded out the top three as all eight franchises aggressively assembled their squads for the upcoming season.
Auction dynamics and marquee signings
With a combined purse of ₹4.08 crore at stake, franchises deployed strategic bidding across five categories — A+, A, B, U19, and U16 — to balance experienced domestic talent with emerging prospects. Abhishek Porel joined Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers at ₹10.40 lakh, while Mukesh Kumar was retained by Sobisco Smashers Malda for ₹9.60 lakh. Sudip Kumar Gharami (₹9.40L) and Yuvraj Deepak Keswani (₹8.60L) were both acquired by the newly-added Novus Purulia Royals.
Notable absences and fitness concerns
Star pacer Akash Deep was retained at ₹3 lakh by Servotech Siliguri Strikers through RTM but remains unavailable for immediate participation. Akash Deep is currently undergoing rehabilitation and will join the squad once cleared by the medical team, adding uncertainty to one of Bengal's premier fast-bowling talents.
Expansion and league structure
The auction marked the formal entry of Novus Purulia Royals as the eighth franchise, joining returning teams Adamas Howrah Warriors, Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers, Murshidabad Kings, Rashmi Medinipur Wizards, Servotech Siliguri Strikers, Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers, and Sobisco Smashers Malda. The inclusion of the U16 category underscores the league's commitment to long-term talent identification and grassroots development across Bengal's cricketing ecosystem.
Sourav Ganguly's perspective on the inaugural auction
CAB President and former India captain Sourav Ganguly praised the auction format, saying it had energized team ownership and coaching staff by enabling them to pursue their preferred player combinations. Ganguly highlighted that the auction introduces a competitive dynamic absent in previous editions and positions the league as a talent-nurturing platform comparable to other domestic T20 competitions across India. "The tournament will get better and better with time, and hopefully, the players will get adjusted, they will play good cricket, and the tournament will be beneficial for them," Ganguly said, emphasizing the league's role in developing Bengal's cricketing talent pool.
Top performers and emerging talent
Beyond the marquee buys, franchises invested heavily in all-rounders and bowlers. Writtick Chatterjee (₹8.20L) joined Adamas Howrah Warriors, while Sayan Ghosh (₹8L) was retained by Lux Shyam Kolkata Tigers. Youth prospect Rohit, aged just 16, was picked by Novus Purulia Royals for ₹5.20 lakh, signaling franchises' willingness to invest in raw potential. The auction's span across age categories reflects a deliberate strategy to balance immediate squad strength with medium-term talent development.
Point of View
The Akash Deep situation underscores a persistent challenge in domestic cricket: managing player fitness and availability across overlapping tournament schedules. The inclusion of U16 players is commendable for grassroots development, but execution will determine whether the league becomes a genuine talent pipeline or merely a spectacle for regional pride.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the costliest player in the Bengal T20 League Men's Auction?
Shahbaz Ahmed was the top pick, fetching ₹12.20 lakh from Shrachi Tribes Rarh Tigers through the Right to Match (RTM) route.
How much did franchises spend in total at the auction?
All eight franchises deployed a combined purse of ₹4.08 crore to build their squads across five player categories.
Which new franchise joined the Bengal T20 League?
Novus Purulia Royals entered as the eighth franchise and made aggressive investments, including acquiring Sudip Kumar Gharami for ₹9.40 lakh and Yuvraj Deepak Keswani for ₹8.60 lakh.
Why is Akash Deep not immediately available to play?
Akash Deep was retained by Servotech Siliguri Strikers at ₹3 lakh but is currently undergoing rehabilitation. He will participate once cleared by the medical team.
What does the inclusion of the U16 category signify?
The U16 category reflects the league's long-term commitment to identifying and nurturing the next generation of cricketing talent from Bengal, with prospects like 16-year-old Rohit being picked at ₹5.20 lakh.
