The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) marked a major milestone for local T20 cricket with a high-profile auction for the inaugural women’s Mumbai League, while also setting the stage for the men’s event that will run alongside it. Teenager Ira Jadhav stole the spotlight by becoming the top purchase of the first women’s edition, snapping up a contract worth Rs 10 lakh—an auction record for the three-team women’s competition. The women’s teams will contest their maiden season, whereas the men’s tournament heads into its fourth year. The MCA has also made participation in the league compulsory, tying it directly to selection pathways for the domestic T20 championship.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik explained the rationale behind the rule, saying that international players must take part unless they are either away on national duty or undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence. “Every international, if not on national duty or undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence, will be required to participate in the league to be considered for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) tournament,” Naik said. He added that the approach mirrors the established culture of club cricket in Mumbai, where players across eras and formats have traditionally kept up their match involvement.
Naik elaborated, pointing to long-standing practices in the city. “That’s the simple rule. Normally, if you see India players or Mumbai Ranji Trophy players, or players across formats, they make sure they participate in club cricket—right from Sunil Gavaskar sir and Dilip Vengsarkar sir till now,” he said. He also cited more recent examples such as Suryakumar Yadav featuring for Parsi Gymkhana, while noting that some players represent their own set-ups. “There are a few others, like Shardul (Thakur), who plays for his respective team. So it’s a common practice in Mumbai to play for clubs. And now they have been playing for the last three years for their respective franchises. I don’t think there is any problem in not representing the franchises,” Naik added, underlining that league participation is the key to SMAT consideration.
The auction itself turned into a bidding spectacle as franchises shaped their squads for Season 1. In total, 363 women players were put up for selection, with teams aiming for a balanced blend of younger prospects and proven domestic performers. Across the proceedings, franchises collectively spent Rs 1.47 crore and picked up 50 players, with Ira emerging as the standout name. Jadhav had already drawn widespread attention last year by becoming the first Indian to register a triple century in Under-19 cricket, reinforcing the league’s intention to spotlight rising talent.
Before the final squad-building phase, the MCA also confirmed its Icon Players for the women’s tournament. Sayali Satghare of SoBo Mumbai Falcons, Saima Thakor from Thane Sky Risers, and Humaira Kazi representing Aakash Tigers were named as the central figures for their respective squads.
Musheer Khan and Arjun Tendulkar among top buys
In the men’s auction, bidding remained intense as franchises locked in their combinations for the upcoming campaign. All-rounder Akash Parkar became one of the most sought-after acquisitions, moving to SoBo Mumbai Falcons for Rs 12 lakh. Wicketkeeper-batsman Prasad Pawar was bought for Rs 11.50 lakh by Arcs Andheri, while the franchise also secured Musheer Khan for Rs 11 lakh, a move that underlined its intent to build around promising talent.
Arcs Andheri also added Arjun Tendulkar to its ranks, completing the purchase for Rs 10 lakh. Earlier, the league had already announced the Icon Players for the men’s competition, which included Suryakumar (Triumph Knights Mumbai North East), Shreyas Iyer (SoBo Mumbai Falcons), Ajinkya Rahane (North Mumbai Panthers), Shivam Dube (Arcs Andheri), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Bandra Blasters), Shardul Thakur (Eagle Thane Strikers), Sarfaraz Khan (Aakash Tigers), and Tushar Deshpande (MSC Maratha Royals).
The Mumbai League is scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium from June 1 to June 15, bringing the city’s top franchises and emerging stars into the spotlight across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
