‘Inclusivity at the core of what we’re building’: ISPL League Commissioner Suraj Samat on the National Framework | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: As the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) gears up for its third season, the league is shifting its principle focus from expansion to structure. In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com, ISPL League Commissioner Suraj Samat shed light on the upcoming season, the rollout of a National Framework — a countrywide system designed to identify, monitor, and nurture grassroots cricket talent in a more organised way.The framework, backed by ISPL’s Core Committee headed by India legend Sachin Tendulkar, aims to bring method to the chaos of India’s sprawling tennis-ball cricket scene. With over 44 lakh participants expected this year, Suraj says the new model will help create a “structured pathway” for aspiring players to move from local tournaments to the national spotlight.
The National Framework will operate through zonal tournaments, each monitored by ISPL’s central body. Player performance will be tracked through a points-based system, updated weekly to a top-1000 national ranking — a first-of-its-kind approach for amateur cricket. “This will tell players exactly where they stand and how much harder they need to work,” Suraj explains.The system also reflects lessons from ISPL’s first two seasons. After managing 28 million viewers and scaling operations from 55 to 101 cities, the league recognised the need for consistency in scouting and development. The new structure ensures each franchise runs organised selection tournaments in its zone, while ISPL acts as the monitoring and guiding authority.
Excerpts:
Q. We’re working our way towards the third ISPL season. How does it feel? What are your initial first thoughts as things get underway?
Suraj:
ISPL has come a long way from the day we started. We’ve realised the immense potential of the brand ISPL coming together. We had around 15 million viewers for the first 11 matches, when we started ISPL in season two, 32% increase in TV reach over season one. Season two recorded around 28 million viewers.So we’ve realised that the growth level has increased slowly and steadily coming forward. The operational jump also we can see right now from 55 cities, we’re going to 101 cities. This will just allow more and more people to enroll and come together for this one.
Q. Let’s talk about the previous season. What have your learnings been from season one to season two and now that you’re planning on launching the third season of the ISPL?
Suraj:
So we realised that a lot of more people want to get associated with ISPL and to reach the grassroots, which is our main aim, we need to make sure that there’s a national framework created. That’s the reason we started with the National Framework coming together in season four now.This is the last season where will be doing the trials. We’ve realised that performance-based trials are the most important rather than having regular trials by the selectors itself at their locations.Also, we are doing home trials this year, which is the learning from the first two seasons that many people cannot travel to multiple places and the comfort level that they have in their surroundings is far higher than what they can perform originally on the field.So just to give that comfort in the first round of selections, we’re doing home trials this season for around 1 lakh children.
Q. What is the National Framework and what does it entail?
Suraj:
So the idea of a National Framework came in as we understood that we’ve got 44 lakh people this year and 44 lakh people getting their trials done becomes a real task altogether. And if this number keeps on increasing, it will become very difficult to actually ascertain the right talent coming together for ISPL. So our Core Committee – headed by Sachin Tendulkar – he and we all suggested that we should create a framework which will actually create a pathway – a structured pathway – for the grassroots to reach where they want to reach and to come into the mainstream of cricket.This also provides a clear platform for individuals all over the country to align and come forward in a performance-based setup where they’ll get to play multiple tournaments all around the year, which also means prize money.At the same time, they will realise what they’re going to get at the end of the day and how long their performance needs to be showcased. ISPL will be putting in 1000 players list on every Monday, updating the points. Now these points will actually show them where they are standing and they know how much harder they need to work.So, National Framework is all about getting inclusivity. More importantly, we are allowing selection tournaments for all kinds of balls that play grassroots cricket, which is a rubber ball or a softball. Because as you see, India is a diverse country and in the south, they play with a softball. In the north, they play with a tape ball. In the central regions, you’ll see them playing with a rubber ball. In the rainy season, they play with a different ball.So we are not restricting anybody from the grassroots to be a part of the selection tournament. This is a testament to our inclusivity program.
ISPL Season 2
Q. With the National Framework, you’re putting the onus on the teams to unearth talent in their regions. In that way, what role does ISPL play in ensuring that these things happens well and is monitored well.
Suraj:
Currently also the teams have their own scouts. But what we are doing here is that we are looking to structure this in a proper manner. And what we call it is a National Framework.So it was important that every team is given a zone that they can adhere to and they can create their tournament and prove that the grassroots development is happening from their end. What ISPL as an umbrella does is we guide them. And at the same time, we also monitor what is done there and what is done right. Or if there is anything that goes wrong, we’re always there to help them out.
Q. ISPL’s third season has been branded as bigger, better and bolder. What can the fans and the players expect from this ISPL season?
Suraj:
So what we have done is we have announced the Man of the Series award, which is the most valuable player award, which is a Porsche 911. And this is the first time in the country or rather I can say internationally that a car of that standard has been offered to a player.Our idea here is fan engagement also. 80% would be the points of the player who will be coming in the finals. And 20% would be the points that the fans give him – the voting that happens. So there’s a lot of fan engagement coming in.Also what we’re doing this year is the number of days have increased. So we have around 28 days of play. This year we have 8 teams – there are two more teams added. There is Ahmedabad and Delhi. So there are more matches happening. And each team will be playing 10 matches. So there’s a lot of cricket content and you can see a lot of talent coming in.And of course, when ISPL comes in, there is entertainment. So there will be a lot of entertainment also for the people coming on the ground as well as online. So a lot of things in store.
Q. What message do you want to send with the winner getting the Porsche car? Ravi
Suraj:
I think the aspirational value that we are trying to create out here is for every individual to believe that they can get their dreams structured and get them in the long run and achieve whatever they want. Today, every individual in India hopes to be a star someday. What we are doing here is giving them that platform and that chance.Our hashtag is very clear on the whole process (Jitna Kheloge, Utna Jeetoge – The more you play, the more you win). So we want them to play, perform and live their dreams.
Q. Now that the league is going to 101 cities from 55, not only is it giving more people an opportunity to showcase their skills, it adds a logistical challenge for the ISPL on how you ensure that you go into the nook and crannies of the country. How are you planning on circumventing that logistical challenge?
Suraj:
We have been doing this for the first two seasons and we have realised the challenges that we face. We have learnt from them. First year we started with 18 cities and then we gradually scaled up to 55. This year we are at 101 cities. Our idea is very clear that maximum exposure to the player coming in should be there.And the selectors who are selecting should be able to watch each and every player. So they get their dream. We understand the challenges that may come here. But that’s the reason we have started the Framework for Season 4. And I hope that everything comes together and every tournament that is played in the country is with all inclusivity from all players.The best part here is that in the coming seasons, each player can play from any zone. It’s not restricted that a North Zone player cannot come to the South Zone and play. It’s the number of points and performance that’s going to work.
ISPL League Commissioner Suraj Samat and Abhishek Bachchan
Q. How does a player ensure they have continuity with the ISPL?
Suraj:
Once a player is registered with us, he gets a unique number. And that unique number allows him to take part in multiple tournaments which will come in as a selection tournament for ISPL. So under the National Framework what we are doing is that every zone will be doing its own tournament.So they get to play in multiple tournaments around the year and accumulate points. So the accumulated points will decide their performance ranking. And that ranking will then be showcased on the website. Top 1000 players which are there, 100 from each zone will be showcased. There are 200 under-19 players which will be 25 from each zone. And 800 players from Open categories, which will be 100 from each zone. So every player gets an equal chance to be a part of it.
Q. Another thing is being implemented now is the squad size. There will be 18 players allowed now with two under-19 players. Can you shed light on how that idea came about?
Suraj:
Also one more thing that we are doing is that we have increased the purse to Rs. 1.5 crores – there is a 50% increase in the purse also. The idea here came in because we understood that there are a lot many talented players who are not being able to come together for ISPL.And when 16 players are there, a lot of players get injured. And due to injury, teams also face a lot of issues. The first two seasons actually taught us that we need at least 18 players in every squad.And two players of under-19 so that they can be mentored in their coming time to play the mainstream cricket.
Q.
Suraj:
So it’s very interesting to know that Salman bhai was in touch with me from Season 1. And many ideas that you have seen implemented in Season 1 were basically suggested by him.So we were always in touch. And he was always very intrigued with the idea of what we were doing. And when we were going to do the expansion, it was a natural selection that Salman bhai had to be a part of it.So I went to him and I requested him, ‘Sir if you would be a part of it? And we really really like it’. And he was gracious enough to accept it.And when it comes to Ajay Devgn sir, we were in touch with somebody for Ahmedabad. And we realised that the mass following that he has in Ahmedabad and all the other cities in the country. As you see, ISPL is all about inclusivity of the masses. So he was a perfect fit for Ahmedabad for us.
Q. How were these city franchises—Delhi and Ahmedabad—decided?
Suraj:
We had Delhi as our original team when we in Season 1. But Akshay Kumar Sir wanted Srinagar specifically as he said that, ‘if this is about inclusivity, this is where I come from. So I want a piece from where my mother was there.’ So he took Srinagar.And that’s where Delhi got omitted at that time. But as you see, these are the central part of the cities of the country. And maximum number of trials and people come from here. So that’s how we decide our franchise.
ISPL
Q. In terms of the Bollywood’s inclusion into a cricket league, it is not something new. What do you hope to achieve with this association? And do you think bringing that synergy sort of takes away from the cricket?
Suraj:
What I believe right now is that cricket is the forefront of ISPL. The grassroot is where we are and our aim has always been that if you see first two seasons, we have not focused on Bollywood as much as we focused on grassroot cricket. And our idea of the National Framework also focuses on cricket rather than any kind of Bollywood activation.What Bollywood does is helps us to get faster recognition, helps the product reach various locations. And the hunger that even these Bollywood celebrities have, eventually they are Indians. And cricket breathes in every Indian’s heart.So if you see the last two seasons, you will see how Saif (Ali Khan) and Kareena (Kapoor Khan) were there at the ground themselves. Saif was with his child at the final matches. And he was instrumental in team building from the start.Similarly, for Season 2, Amitabh (Bachchan) Sir was there for all of his teams’ matches along with Abhishek (Bachchan) Sir, of course. And Akshay Kumar Sir came his daughter. For the first time, it had happened that he got his daughter out.Because this is all an arrangement where they get a feeling of belonging. And they understand how noble a cause is this of getting these children from the streets to the stadium. Giving them this platform to shine.I think this is something which is God-gifted. ISPL has just happened because God has made it happen. Because otherwise, getting so many stars together, getting so many corporates together within a span of last 1-2 years would not be possible.
Q. The third season will be played in Surat. Why Surat and what are your expectations out of the peoplethere?
Suraj:
A lot of people ask me this question, why Surat and why not some other city? And I will just tell you that we were one day sitting together and I asked Sachin Sir, ‘where do you think we should be taking ISPL?’ Because we had an idea of taking ISPL out of a city after every 2 years. So, we had to travel.And he said, I have played at this stadium in Surat. And the tennis ball and the grassroots come from the Tier 2 cities. So, I think that we should be somewhere around there which has a good stadium and I have played there. So, please go visit it first.We did a recce and I came back for the meeting. I said, ‘Sir, I liked what I saw and I think we can go ahead if you are okay with it.’ And he said, it’s important that we reach every city of the country eventually.But to start with, now we are going away from Maharashtra. It will be better if we reach Surat because firstly, the stadium is beautiful. And 30% of the cricket of tennis ball or I would say grassroots cricket is played around Surat area.So, it really mattered for us that we are in the centre of the action.
ISPL Season 3 launch press conference
Q, What are your expectations from the third season of the ISPL?
Suraj:
We plan to ensure that the National Framework comes into play after Season 3. And our main focus now is to ensure that multiple tournaments are played all over the country. Each and every zone performs those tournaments coming forward. Our focus is more on ensuring that the players that are selected in Season 3 get that platform in the mainstream and are given a place to shine.In Season 2, a player (Abhishek Kumar Dalhor of Majhi Mumbai) was selected for net bowling in Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. It’s just that what we wanted. The talent should be able to showcase its abilities and just get a place where he really belongs.
Q. Is there a deal or collaborative effort happening where players who shine in the ISPL play in the domestic teams or an IPL team?
Suraj:
No, absolutely not. There is no tie-up as such. We just believe that when the grassroot player shines, everybody is up for grabs. If you see, every player that plays in the country today – whether it is Sachin Sir or Virat Kohli or any of them – they started with tennis ball cricket.So, the basis of any cricket in the country starts with tennis ball cricket. What we are doing out here is just showcasing what these boys can do, their abilities to perform, how they play and what are their capabilities. Now, it’s up to the other franchisee in the mainstream cricket to pick them up.
