Here is the complete day-by-day schedule of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL T20) 2026:

June 3 (Wednesday)

-Gwalior Cheetahs vs Ujjain Falcons – 7:30 PM IST (Evening Marquee)

June 4 (Thursday)

-Malwa Stallions vs Chambal Ghariyals – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Bhopal Leopards vs Indore Pink Panthers – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 5 (Friday)

-Gwalior Cheetahs vs Bhopal Leopards – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Ujjain Falcons vs Malwa Stallions – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 6 (Saturday)

-Bundelkhand Bulls vs Rewa Jaguars – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Indore Pink Panthers vs Jabalpur Royal Lions – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 7 (Sunday)

-Malwa Stallions vs Gwalior Cheetahs – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Royal Nimar Eagles vs Chambal Ghariyals – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Rewa Jaguars vs Bhopal Leopards – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 8 (Monday)

-Bundelkhand Bulls vs Bhopal Leopards – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Chambal Ghariyals vs Ujjain Falcons – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Malwa Stallions vs Indore Pink Panthers – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 9 (Tuesday)

-Rewa Jaguars vs Jabalpur Royal Lions – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Gwalior Cheetahs vs Bundelkhand Bulls – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 10 (Wednesday)

-Ujjain Falcons vs Indore Pink Panthers – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Bhopal Leopards vs Royal Nimar Eagles – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 11 (Thursday)

-Chambal Ghariyals vs Gwalior Cheetahs – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Malwa Stallions – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 12 (Friday)

-Bundelkhand Bulls vs Ujjain Falcons – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Indore Pink Panthers vs Rewa Jaguars – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 13 (Saturday)

-Bhopal Leopards vs Chambal Ghariyals – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Royal Nimar Eagles vs Gwalior Cheetahs – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 14 (Sunday)

-Malwa Stallions vs Bundelkhand Bulls – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Ujjain Falcons vs Jabalpur Royal Lions – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 15 (Monday)

-Rewa Jaguars vs Royal Nimar Eagles – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Gwalior Cheetahs vs Indore Pink Panthers – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 16 (Tuesday)

-Chambal Ghariyals vs Bundelkhand Bulls – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Bhopal Leopards – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 17 (Wednesday)

-Royal Nimar Eagles vs Malwa Stallions – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Indore Pink Panthers vs Chambal Ghariyals – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 18 (Thursday)

-Bhopal Leopards vs Ujjain Falcons – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Bundelkhand Bulls vs Jabalpur Royal Lions – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 19 (Friday)

-Gwalior Cheetahs vs Rewa Jaguars – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Malwa Stallions vs Bhopal Leopards – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 20 (Saturday)

-Ujjain Falcons vs Royal Nimar Eagles – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Chambal Ghariyals vs Rewa Jaguars – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 21 (Sunday)

-Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Gwalior Cheetahs – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Indore Pink Panthers vs Bundelkhand Bulls – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 22 (Monday)

-Rewa Jaguars vs Malwa Stallions – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Royal Nimar Eagles vs Ujjain Falcons – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 23 (Tuesday)

-Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Chambal Ghariyals – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Bundelkhand Bulls vs Bhopal Leopards – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 24 (Wednesday)

-Indore Pink Panthers vs Royal Nimar Eagles – 3:00 PM IST (Afternoon)

-Rewa Jaguars vs Ujjain Falcons – 7:30 PM IST (Evening)

June 25 (Thursday) - Knockouts

-Men's Semi-Final 1 – 3:00 PM IST

-Men's Semi-Final 2 – 7:30 PM IST

June 26 (Friday) - Finals

-MPL Men's Grand Final – 7:30 PM IST

Anushka Sharma Named Captain of India-A Women's T20 Side for England Tour

Gwalior's rising cricket star to lead India-A in three T20 matches against England-A; has previously led Madhya Pradesh to senior ODI Trophy glory

A Big Leap for Gwalior's Own
Anushka Sharma, the all-rounder from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, has been handed one of the most significant assignments of her young career. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named her captain of the India-A women's T20 side for the upcoming England tour, where she will lead the team in a three-match series against England-A.
The announcement, made recently, has been widely seen as a reward for consistent domestic performances and her growing reputation as a match-winner in multiple formats.

Series Schedule and Venues
The three T20 matches are scheduled across two English venues. The first two games will be held in Northampton on June 20 and June 23, while the third and final match moves to Chelmsford on June 25.
A separate ODI series, running from June 28 to July 4 at Hove and Taunton, will be led by Harleen Deol, with Pratika Rawal named as her deputy. Vrinda Dinesh has been appointed vice-captain for the T20 leg under Anushka.

"Will Give My Best," Says Anushka
Speaking about the opportunity, Anushka Sharma kept it simple and grounded. "Playing for the country is every cricketer's dream. Leading the team as captain is a matter of great pride for me. I will try my best to give everything for my team," she said.

Senior Debut Already Under Her Belt
Anushka made her senior India debut during the South Africa tour, where she featured in three matches and showed enough to convince selectors of her readiness for bigger responsibilities. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball has made her a versatile asset in Indian women's cricket.
Earlier in the Women's Premier League 2026, she turned heads playing for Gujarat Giants — scoring 44 runs off just 30 balls in a high-pressure outing, underlining the aggressive batting that has become her signature.

Decorated Domestic Record
Before the India-A captaincy came calling, Anushka had already built an impressive resume at the domestic level. She has served as vice-captain of the Madhya Pradesh senior women's team and previously captained the India B side in the Under-19 Challenger Trophy. Under her leadership, Madhya Pradesh's U-19 team finished national runners-up.
Her most celebrated achievement remains the 2024-25 Senior Women's ODI Trophy, where she played a key role in MP's title-winning campaign. She walked away from the tournament with the Player of the Tournament award along with several other individual honours that season.
The Chandra Nayudu Award, given to recognise outstanding domestic women cricketers, is also among her recognitions.

Bundlekhand Bulls Back Her Too
Closer to home, Anushka was retained as captain of Bundlekhand Bulls for the second season of the Madhya Pradesh Women's League, to be held in Indore. In the first edition, she was vice-captain and played a crucial part in the team's title win. Her elevation to full captaincy for the second season reflects the confidence the franchise places in her leadership abilities.

What Comes Next
With the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled in England from June 12 — India opening their campaign against Pakistan on June 14 — the India-A tour serves as important preparation ground. Players performing well in these matches could catch the selectors' eye for future senior assignments.
For Anushka Sharma, the England tour is not just another series. It is the clearest signal yet that Indian women's cricket sees a future leader in her.

MPCA to provide monthly financial aid to former women cricketers

The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has also approved an honorarium hike for umpires and scorers while extending Chandrakant Pandit’s tenure.

In a significant move to bolster the welfare of athletes, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) has announced a new monthly financial assistance scheme for former women cricketers. The decision was ratified during a high-profile management committee meeting held on March 31, where the body also approved a horizontal hike in the honorarium for match officials, selectors, and coaches.

The meeting, chaired by MPCA President Mahanaryaman Scindia, focused on rewarding the contributors of the game at the grassroots and domestic levels. A key highlight was the reappointment of veteran coach Chandrakant Pandit as the 'Director of Cricket' for Madhya Pradesh for the next two years, ensuring continuity in the state's cricketing strategy following recent successes.

Support for women veterans

President Mahanaryaman Scindia moved the proposal to support women players who do not receive financial aid from the BCCI. This initiative aims to provide a social security net for those who dedicated their careers to the state and the country before the era of professional contracts.

Under the new scheme, former international players (Test and ODI) will receive a monthly stipend of ₹12,500. Domestic players will be eligible for amounts ranging from ₹6,000 to ₹10,000, determined by the number of matches played. Furthermore, players aged 75 and above will receive an additional ₹7,500 as an age-linked benefit.

Revised honorarium structure

The management committee also addressed the long-standing demand for a revision in the pay scales of match officials. The MPCA has officially increased the honorarium for selectors, umpires, and scorers. Coaches and support staff will also see a bump in their daily allowances and incentive structures.

This revision is part of a broader effort to professionalize the domestic circuit in Madhya Pradesh. Officials stated that existing financial aid for retired male players and umpires, which the association was already providing, has also been scaled up to keep pace with rising costs.

Mandatory certification exams

To maintain high standards of officiating, the MPCA has introduced a merit-based system for match officials. The association will conduct mandatory examinations for scorers and umpires before the commencement of the next domestic season.

These exams will serve as a filter for inducting new talent into the MPCA panel. The body intends to ensure that only qualified individuals handle state-level matches, thereby improving the overall quality of game management across all age groups.

Infrastructure and academies

The MPCA is also pivoting toward rapid infrastructure development in regional pockets. The committee approved the construction of pavilion blocks at the association’s grounds in Morena (Chambal) and Narmadapuram. These facilities are expected to be operational by the 2026-27 financial year.

Beyond physical buildings, the association is drafting a blueprint to establish cricket academies at every ground owned by the MPCA. This decentralized approach is expected to tap into rural talent more effectively than the current centralized model.

Digital transformation drive

In a bid to modernize operations, the committee discussed the integration of advanced technology in coordination with divisional units. The MPCA plans to implement a mandatory online scoring system for all divisional-level matches starting next season.

This move toward transparency will allow for real-time tracking of player performance data. "The goal is to bring precision to our selection process and ensure that every performance in the hinterland is recorded digitally," an MPCA official noted during the proceedings.

Future roadmap ahead

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks for the successful hosting of the Women’s World Cup fixtures and the international match against New Zealand. The management expressed confidence that these welfare measures would encourage more women to take up the sport professionally.

With the latest news today highlighting the shift toward athlete-centric policies, the MPCA's decision is being viewed as a benchmark for other state units. These Government updates and association policies reflect a growing commitment to the English News Portal India readers who follow the evolution of the sport closely. As part of this Public Interest Story, the association has invited eligible players to submit their applications for the stipend program immediately to ensure timely disbursement. This Trending News India update signals a positive turn for domestic cricket veterans.

There is a state in the dead centre of India — no coastline, no mountains, no ocean breeze — where young men grow up chasing leather balls across red dirt grounds under a merciless sun. No glittering academies. No IPL franchises of their own. Just raw hunger, state tournaments, and the dream of one day hearing their name called at an IPL auction.

Madhya Pradesh has long been Indian cricket's best-kept secret. But in IPL 2026, the secret is well and truly out. Twelve players born and bred in MP are part of IPL franchises this season — spanning all skill sets, all formats, all price brackets. Some are already champions. Some are rising stars. A couple are wildcards with everything to prove. Together, they represent the most extraordinary chapter yet in MP cricket's quiet, powerful ascent.

Here is their story.

1. Rajat Patidar — The Captain Who Delivered the Dream (RCB)

If there is one image that captures what MP cricket means in 2026, it is Rajat Patidar holding the IPL 2025 trophy aloft as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. From Indore. From a state that had never produced an IPL-winning captain before. He did not just win — he led, composed and calculated, through one of cricket's most dramatic finals.

Retained by RCB ahead of IPL 2026, Patidar is now the heartbeat of a franchise that finally knows what winning feels like. He is the benchmark every MP cricketer points to — proof that the path from Indore to immortality is real.

2. Venkatesh Iyer — The ₹23.75 Crore Man Gets a Fresh Start (RCB)

His IPL 2025 with KKR was a story of unfulfilled expectations — a price tag of ₹23.75 crore carrying a weight that few players could shoulder. But Venkatesh Iyer, the Indore-born explosive left-hander, earned a second chance. RCB picked him up for ₹7 crore at the IPL 2026 mini auction, reuniting him with his state captain Rajat Patidar.

His record from KKR's 2024 title-winning season — a strike rate of 158.79 with an average of 46.25 — tells you exactly what this man is capable of when the game clicks into place. IPL 2026 is his stage to silence every critic.

3. Avesh Khan — MP's Pace Spearhead (Lucknow Super Giants)

Before anyone spoke of MP cricket's IPL renaissance, there was Avesh Khan — the fast bowler from Indore who became the then most expensive uncapped player in IPL history when LSG bought him for ₹10 crore in 2022. Four years later, he is still at LSG, still steaming in, still making batters uncomfortable.

With over 33 international appearances and 76 IPL matches behind him, Avesh is MP's most experienced IPL campaigner. He is the elder statesman — the one who knows what it takes to survive and thrive in the world's most demanding T20 league, night after night.

4. Mangesh Yadav — The New Weapon (RCB)

Of all the MP stories in IPL 2026, Mangesh Yadav's might be the most intriguing. A left-arm seamer who made heads turn in the Madhya Pradesh Premier League, he was picked up by RCB for ₹5.20 crore at auction — a significant investment in an uncapped talent.

He now joins an RCB bowling attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. No pressure there, then. But those who watched him bowl in the MPL know this: his ability to swing the ball and hit good lengths consistently is no accident. He is ready.

5. Aniket Verma — SRH's Quiet Assassin (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Aniket Verma does not do showmanship. He does wickets. The right-arm pacer from Madhya Pradesh was retained by SRH and forms part of one of the most fearsome fast-bowling cultures in the IPL — a team that bred the philosophy of pace above everything.

In a Travis Head-led SRH side that scores at a rate that leaves opponents breathless, Aniket's job is to do the damage with the ball. He has the temperament for it.

6. Madhav Tiwari — Delhi's Spin Surprise (Delhi Capitals)

Delhi Capitals retained Madhav Tiwari ahead of IPL 2026 — a vote of confidence in an MP-born spinner who has been quietly building a compelling case for himself in domestic cricket. In a DC lineup anchored by Axar Patel's left-arm spin, Tiwari offers something different: variety, guile, and an ability to pick up wickets in the middle overs when the game is most alive.

His story is a reminder that IPL squads are won not just by the biggest names, but by the players who do the right things in the right moments.

7. Ashutosh Sharma — The Finisher Delhi Trusts (Delhi Capitals)

Ashutosh Sharma is the kind of cricketer T20 cricket was invented for. A hard-hitting middle-order batsman who plays for Railways in domestic cricket but traces his roots to MP, Ashutosh has carved out a reputation as a finisher of real substance. Delhi Capitals retained him for IPL 2026, and with a batting order featuring KL Rahul, David Miller, and Ben Duckett, his role may be cameo — but it will matter.

In T20 cricket, the man who comes in at number seven and launches the ball into orbit is sometimes the difference between winning and losing.

8. Arshad Khan — Gujarat's MP Export (Gujarat Titans)

Arshad Khan — the off-spinning all-rounder — represents another arm of MP's cricket output that goes beyond just its state team. Retained by Gujarat Titans, he is the kind of player franchise cricket loves: a genuine contributor with both bat and ball who does not need to be the main event to be effective. In a GT side that has always prided itself on team balance, Arshad fits perfectly.

9. Akshat Raghuwanshi — Lucknow's Teenage Phenomenon (Lucknow Super Giants)

Here is where the story gets really exciting. Akshat Raghuwanshi is 18 years old. He bats with a maturity and elegance that embarrasses players twice his age. LSG bought him for ₹2.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction — and that number will look absurdly small within a few years if he fulfils his considerable promise.

He is MP cricket's next chapter — the player who could carry the state's flag into the 2030s and beyond.

10. Kuldeep Sen — Rajasthan's Rewa Rocket (Rajasthan Royals)

From Rewa — a city most cricket fans would struggle to place on a map — Kuldeep Sen has built himself into a genuine IPL pace bowler. Rajasthan Royals have him in their squad for IPL 2026, and if his domestic form is anything to go by, they are getting a fast bowler who can hit 140+ consistently and trouble the best batters in the game.

His is the story that defines why MP cricket matters: not just the big cities of Bhopal and Indore, but every district, every small town, every red dirt ground.

11. Kumar Kartikeya — The Spinner Who Bamboozles (Gujarat Titans)

Left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya has been on the IPL circuit with Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals and now finds himself with Gujarat Titans for IPL 2026. In the MPL 2025, he took 10 wickets in 7 matches — a spell that reminded selectors why this MP spinner deserves to be in the biggest arena.

His drift, his turn, his variation of pace — in the right conditions, on a helpful surface, Kartikeya is a handful for any batting lineup in the world.

12. Shivang Kumar — SRH's Wild Card (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

The twelfth name on MP's proud IPL 2026 list is Shivang Kumar — a batsman retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad who represents the frontier of this generation of MP talent. Details of his IPL career are still being written. But the fact that he is in an SRH squad alongside Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen says everything about the faith placed in him.

Every great IPL career begins with someone believing in you. SRH have believed in Shivang Kumar.

The Bigger Picture: MP Cricket's Golden Era Is Here

Twelve players. Ten franchises. A state that still does not have its own IPL team. The numbers alone tell a story that deserves far more celebration than it receives.

Just a few years ago, MP cricket was associated in the national imagination with one thing: the maiden Ranji Trophy title in 2022, built around players like Rajat Patidar, Venkatesh Iyer, and Avesh Khan. That team announced to the country that something was different here — that the MPCA had built something real, something lasting.

IPL 2026 is proof that 2022 was not a peak. It was a beginning.

From Indore to Rewa, from Bhopal to Gwalior, a generation of cricketers is emerging who grew up watching the IPL on TV and now play in it. They carry with them the weight of every uncelebrated local tournament, every early morning net session on a bumpy outfield, every rejection from selectors who looked elsewhere. And they are making it count.

Madhya Pradesh does not have an ocean. It does not have an IPL franchise. But in 2026, it has twelve of the IPL's most compelling stories.

That is more than enough.