Guwahati: The inaugural Assam Premier League (APL) has ended on a high note, with Barpeta Braves defeating Guwahati Royals by five wickets in the final to become the tournament’s first champions. Beyond the result, the competition has emerged as an important platform for local cricketers and a significant step towards strengthening Assam’s regional cricket ecosystem.
Organised with the support of the Assam Cricket Association, the franchise-based T20 league featured eight teams representing different parts of the state. Around 150 players got the opportunity to compete in a professional environment, giving emerging cricketers a stage to perform in front of larger audiences and selectors. The league was launched in June with the stated objective of creating a sustainable pathway for Assam’s players to progress to higher levels of domestic and professional cricket.
One of the biggest takeaways from the inaugural season was the emergence of young talent. Denish Das was among the standout performers and earned a place in the Duleep Trophy squad. He also scored a century shortly before leaving the league. Rohit Sen, Bastab Roy, Shubham Kumar Gupta and Ayushman Malakar were among the other players who attracted attention with their performances during the tournament.
The league also drew interest from outside Assam. Scouts from IPL franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru were reportedly present at every match, highlighting the growing importance of state-level competitions as talent-identification platforms. The presence of prominent cricket administrators, including BCCI President Mithun Manhas, further underlined the tournament’s potential.
On the field, the competition produced several high-scoring games, successful run chases and close finishes. The final attracted more than 25,000 spectators, reflecting the strong local interest generated by the new league. The tournament also reportedly crossed 100 million organic social media views, showing that its appeal extended beyond stadium audiences.
Assam Cricket Association president Taranga Gogoi described the league as an important platform for developing cricket in the state, stressing the value of regular competitive opportunities for players. The inaugural season has therefore provided more than just entertainment—it has created a structured route for local cricketers to gain exposure, experience and recognition.
With a successful first season behind it, the Assam Premier League now has an opportunity to build on its early momentum and establish itself as a long-term part of Assam’s cricketing structure.
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