Under bright floodlights on a dusty ground near North India Mall in Indirapuram, a commentator's voice rose with the tension. AV All Stars needed seven runs from the last four deliveries against Team Cyclone in a 15-over contest. A wicket added to the drama, and after managing just a single on the fifth ball of the over, the equation came down to six needed off the final delivery. Batter Amit swung hard, sending the ball high into the night sky. Moments later, it landed safely in a fielder's hands. Team Cyclone erupted in celebration as IPL-style music blared from the speakers.
There were no professional cricketers, packed stadiums or television cameras. Yet for the players and spectators gathered on a GMC-owned vacant plot transformed into a cricket venue, the Indirapuram Premier League (IPL) felt every bit as real. Launched on May 10, the resident-driven tournament has brought together 32 teams and nearly 500 people from housing societies across Indirapuram. Two matches are played every evening from 6.30pm to 9pm and from 9pm to 11.30pm under floodlights. Scores are updated live on CricHeroes and matches are streamed online, adding to the professional feel.
The idea was first floated in March by Shipra Sun City councillor Sanjay Singh, who wanted to create a community activity that would bring residents together. 'Once the field was identified, the real work began,' Singh said. 'With support from the GMC and RWAs, we cleaned and levelled the ground, removed debris and arranged basic facilities such as lighting, water and food,' Singh told TOI. Soon, a WhatsApp message began circulating through residential societies carrying a simple invitation: Let's have our own IPL. The response surprised even the organisers.
Residents aged between 25 and 54 from societies including Aditya Mega City, Saya Gold Avenue, Amrapali Greens, Regalia Heights and Gaur Greens signed up. A registration fee of Rs 1,000 per player was fixed, with squads comprising 15 players each. 'Within days, all 32 teams were formed,' said Vikas Mohan, 54, a resident of Orange County and player for Orange Panthers. The organisers arranged qualified umpires from Ghaziabad Cricket Association, volunteer commentators and live scorekeeping. For many participants, however, the attraction went beyond the cricket itself.
Mohan, who runs a meat business in the city, says stepping onto the field allows him to relive a lifelong passion. 'I have always admired Sunil Gavaskar,' he said. 'I have attended 123 matches to get a glimpse of him. When I bat, I try to play like him,' he said. Among the participants is 51-year-old Anubhav Bindal, a company secretary and entrepreneur from Raison Armour Homes. A devoted Mumbai Indians supporter, Bindal had not played serious cricket for nearly 25 years. Representing Raison Royals, Bindal said cricket was his first love. 'Had the time been different, I would have chosen cricket over anything,' he said. 'When I picked up a bat again, it felt like going back to my college days,' he said, adding, 'For the last few weeks, I have been thinking more about my batting form than about my clients.' His team, Raison Royals, failed to reach the knockout stage, but Bindal says the result hardly mattered. 'The experience itself was rewarding,' he said.
The tournament has also attracted participation from local police personnel. One of the teams, UP Yoddha, is captained by Rohit Hooda, Indirapuram chowki in-charge. 'Residents approached us and we agreed to participate,' Hooda said. 'Managing time is difficult because police duty is round the clock, but it has been a good way to connect with people.' For younger players, the competition offers a different kind of thrill. Sashank Bhatala, an MBA student studying in Dubai and spending his summer break in India, said he grew up idolising Virat Kohli. 'Kohli is from Delhi and has always been my favourite player,' he said. 'I wish the teams had younger players,' he said.
Rishabh Rana, part of the organising team, said the focus was on community participation. 'Only Indirapuram residents were allowed to play, with Aadhaar verification made mandatory,' he said. The league has also sparked new conversations across housing societies. Team names inspired by professional cricket have added to the excitement, with outfits such as AG Super Kings (Amrapali Greens), Saya Zenith Challengers (Saya Zenith) and Neo Titans (Shipra Neo) becoming a source of pride for residents. Friendly rivalries have emerged as residents gather along the boundary ropes to cheer for friends and family members.
Now, with 16 teams having qualified for the knockout stage beginning June 2 and the final scheduled for June 12, organisers are already hearing requests for another edition. What began as a community experiment has become one of Indirapuram's biggest summer attractions, a tournament where office-goers, entrepreneurs, traders, students and police officers temporarily swap their daily routines for cricket whites, floodlights and dreams of hitting the winning shot.
