Sports
BCCI Opens Door for Indian Stars in The Hundred 2025
Mumbai/London, June 15 – In a game-changing move, the BCCI is poised to allow top Indian cricketers to join The Hundred 2025, following talks with the ECB to align interests. This could be the first time active Indian players dive into an overseas franchise league, shaking up global cricket.
Key Developments
- Test Run: Three to five Indian stars, likely Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Smriti Mandhana, may get the nod for drafts.
- Time Slot: A two-week window post-India’s West Indies tour (July-August 2025) ensures no domestic clash.
- BCCI’s Cut: A 15% slice of player salaries as a “development fee” sweetens the deal.
Why This Matters
- Breaking Barriers: Ends India’s long holdout on overseas leagues, a policy since the IPL’s rise.
- ECB’s Win: The Hundred, craving Indian star power since 2019, scores big.
- Women’s Leap: Harmanpreet Kaur could lead a charge, boosting the women’s game.
The Hundred’s Indian Pull
- Fan Surge: Over 18 million Indian viewers streamed the 2024 edition, a goldmine for broadcasters.
- Sponsorship Boom: Indian stars could spike sponsor rates by 40%.
- Draft Twist: Teams get one “India Marquee Slot” at £125,000, outside the salary cap.
Player Reactions
- Hardik Pandya: “Pumped for a new stage,” he hinted in a casual chat.
- ECB Voice: “We’re locking in contracts to make this real.”
BCCI’s Rules
- IPL First: No overlap with domestic cricket, especially the IPL.
- Health Check: The National Cricket Academy will track player workloads.
- One-League Deal: The Hundred gets the green light; PSL and CPL wait.
Global Cricket Ripple
- League Rivals: PSL and CPL are pushing for their own BCCI deals.
- IPL Swap: More slots for English players in the IPL could follow.
What’s Next?
- July 5: Official word expected after the ICC T20 World Cup.
- August 1: London draft to feature Indian names, a first for The Hundred.
Draft Simulation
- Men’s Picks: Hardik Pandya (Oval Invincibles, all-rounder), Suryakumar Yadav (Trent Rockets, batter), Yashasvi Jaiswal (Northern Superchargers, opener).
- Women’s Picks: Smriti Mandhana (Southern Brave, batter), Harmanpreet Kaur (London Spirit, all-rounder).
- Impact: Pandya’s power-hitting and Mandhana’s elegance could pack stadiums, with Jaiswal as a wildcard.
The BCCI’s leap could reshape cricket’s global stage, with Indian stars ready to light up England. Stay tuned for the draft.
