CRICKET TAKES THE TRICITY ON A HIGH

What was born as the brainchild of Sanjay Tandon, the then President of UT Cricket Association, has moved to the next dimension with Tandon’s son Saraansh, taking over the reins in October, 2025. While Sanjay Tandon has been appointed as a Member of the Governing Council of BCCI’s Women's Premier League (WPL), his son is blazing the trail, etched out by his father.

Spanning over three weeks from June 8 - 26, 2026, the league features two matches every day, with the first game beginning at 3 PM and the second under lights at 7 PM. With six competitive franchises battling for supremacy, CPL has firmly established itself as one of North India's premier franchise-based cricket tournaments.

Under the youthful vision of Saraansh Tandon, the ongoing Season-4 of the Chandigarh Premier League (CPL 2026) has transformed the Tricity into a hub of cricketing excitement. The stadium at Sector 16, Chandigarh, is under renovation, so the action has shifted to Tau Devi Lal Cricket Stadium, Panchkula. It is seeing a conglomeration of top talent, passionate fans and a carnival of sorts.

New, youthful ideas, tech innovations, unprecedented growth and community engagement have emerged. He has further expanded the league's reach by involving city influencers, digital creators and bloggers, helping transform CPL into a city-wide cricket carnival rather than just a cricket league. He has even written the anthem for CPL. It has been sung and set to a youthful rhythm, and while it plays in the stadium, everyone seems to be humming along. The buzz has caught on! The league has six franchises: Hiims Hawks, Capital Strikers, Chandigarh Kings, Rock Garden Warriors, Royal Titans and Tricity Bashers, each bringing its own identity and fan following to the league.

The excitement has been palpable since the last few weeks in the run-up to the event. A series of promotional activities, including the Jersey Unveiling Ceremony, Trophy Unveiling, Cycle Rally and several engagement events, created a tremendous buzz across Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali. The league's unique campaign hashtag, #SheharKeDhurandhar, has become a talking point amongst cricket lovers in the region.

One of the defining moments in the league's promotional campaign was during the IPL 2026 Final in Ahmedabad between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Giants. UTCA officials, including Sanjay Tandon and Saraansh, wore the Chandigarh Premier League jersey, with the slogan #SheharKeDhurandhar to the IPL match! This caught many eyeballs, and there itself the tournament was launched on a national stage.

With each passing day, the number of spectators has increased. IPL scouts are expected to visit the venue to assess emerging talent. Their coming would serve as a pointer that CPL is more than just a local tournament. It is increasingly becoming a platform for aspiring cricketers to showcase their abilities before professional talent scouts and selectors.

With world-class facilities, competitive cricket, growing fan engagement and a clear pathway for young talent, Chandigarh Premier League 2026 is proving why it has become one of the most exciting cricketing properties in the region. Kapil Dev came by for the semi-finals, and a galaxy of prominent people shall be present on the day of the final match!

The dream of one man has taken shape, and the torch has been passed on to the next generation to take wings. Together with the team owners, a host of sponsors and well-wishers, this is getting bigger and better! The city is becoming a hub for finding and nurturing cricket talent. With each passing year, UTCA is scaling new heights.

As the race for the CPL 2026 winner intensifies, one question continues to excite players and fans alike: Which future IPL star is honing his skills at CPL 2026? The best is yet to come! And last but not the least … the women’s CPL is in the offing too! Stay tuned!