Siraj, Tilak Varma to headline TG20 player auction on June 7 in Hyderabad
Synopsis
Telangana's first franchise T20 league lands its marquee moment on 7 June, with Mohammed Siraj and Tilak Varma anchoring a 1,300-strong auction pool. Eight franchises, a ₹60 lakh purse each, a mandatory district-player quota, and a Charu Sharma-led gavel — TG20 is pitching itself as both a commercial product and a state-wide talent pipeline ahead of its 21 June opener at Uppal.
Key Takeaways
TG20 Player Auction on 7 June at Ramoji Film City , headlined by Mohammed Siraj and Tilak Varma .
Over 1,300 HCA-registered cricketers in the pool across Icon, A+, A, B, C1 and C2 categories.
Eight franchises, each with a ₹60 lakh purse and mandatory ₹54 lakh minimum spend; squads capped at 20 players .
Each squad must include at least four district cricketers , with two in the playing XI.
Inaugural season opens 21 June at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal , with 32 matches over 21+ days.
Auction conducted by Charu Sharma ; live on JioHotstar .
India internationals Mohammed Siraj and Tilak Varma will headline the inaugural TG20 Player Auction on Sunday, 7 June at the Princess Convention Centre, Ramoji Film City, as Telangana's first franchise-based T20 league begins assembling its squads. More than 1,300 HCA-registered cricketers will go under the hammer across eight franchises ahead of the league's 21 June opener.
Marquee names and emerging talent
The auction pool blends international stardom with established domestic performers, including Rohit Rayudu, Rahul Buddhi, CV Milind and Tanmay Agarwal, all expected to draw aggressive bidding. The list also features India U-19 representative Aaron George and members of Telangana's recent Vinoo Mankad Trophy-winning squad, signalling the league's intent to act as a pipeline for the next generation.
The eight franchises
The inaugural season will feature eight teams: Hyderabad e-Champions, Pranava Ranga Reddy Risers, Warangal Warriors, Medak Falcons, Anurag Nalgonda Knights, Karimnagar Diamonds, Palamuru Strikers and Anvita Khammam Aces. Each will play across 32 matches over more than 21 days of cricket.
Auction rules and purse
Every franchise enters the auction with a purse of ₹60 lakh and a mandatory minimum spend of ₹54 lakh, with squads capped at 20 players. Bidding will move sequentially through the Icon, A+, A, B, C1 and C2 categories. Each franchise must include at least four district cricketers in its squad and field a minimum of two in the playing XI — a structural nudge meant to push talent from beyond Hyderabad into the spotlight.
Who is running the show
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu, Chairman of the HCA's Cricket Operations Committee, has overseen the open-trial programme that drew unprecedented interest from urban and district aspirants. Veteran sports presenter Charu Sharma will conduct the gavel. The proceedings will stream live on JioHotstar.
What officials are saying
“TG20 is much more than a cricket tournament. It is a platform created to identify, nurture and showcase Telangana's cricketing talent on a professional stage. The player auction represents the beginning of that journey, where dreams will meet opportunity,” said V. Agam Rao, Chairman of the TG20 Governing Council. He added that the league aspires to become “a landmark sporting property for Telangana and a powerful pathway for aspiring cricketers from every corner of the state.”
What's next
The inaugural TG20 season begins on 21 June at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, with all matches staged at the venue. With Siraj and Tilak Varma anchoring the marquee pool and a district-quota mandate baked into squad rules, the league is positioning itself as both a commercial product and a state-wide scouting exercise.
Point of View
Which forces franchises to look past Hyderabad's well-trodden talent pool. State T20 leagues across India have a mixed record: the TNPL and KPL have produced genuine India pipelines, while others have stalled on governance and broadcast value. With Ambati Rayudu running cricket operations and JioHotstar streaming, TG20 has the scaffolding; whether it converts trial-ground promise into IPL-feeder credibility will depend on execution beyond season one.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the TG20 player auction being held?
The inaugural TG20 Player Auction is scheduled for Sunday, 7 June, at the Princess Convention Centre, Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. It will be streamed live on JioHotstar.
Who are the marquee players in the TG20 auction pool?
India internationals Mohammed Siraj and Tilak Varma headline the pool. Established domestic names include Rohit Rayudu, Rahul Buddhi, CV Milind and Tanmay Agarwal, alongside India U-19 player Aaron George and members of Telangana's Vinoo Mankad Trophy-winning squad.
What is the purse and squad rule for each TG20 franchise?
Each of the eight franchises enters the auction with a ₹60 lakh purse and a mandatory minimum spend of ₹54 lakh. Squads can have up to 20 players, with at least four district cricketers in the squad and a minimum of two in the playing XI.
Which teams will play in the inaugural TG20 season?
The eight franchises are Hyderabad e-Champions, Pranava Ranga Reddy Risers, Warangal Warriors, Medak Falcons, Anurag Nalgonda Knights, Karimnagar Diamonds, Palamuru Strikers and Anvita Khammam Aces.
When does the TG20 league begin?
The inaugural season starts on 21 June at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal. All 32 matches will be played at the venue over more than 21 days.
