The Scindia Cup expands to 15 franchises across men's and women's divisions, with action moving to Indore's Holkar Stadium.

The cricket landscape in Madhya Pradesh is bracing for its biggest domestic showcase yet as the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 for the Scindia Cup enters an expanded 2026 season. Scheduled to run from June 3 to June 26, the state's official franchise-based professional tournament will see a massive surge in scale, featuring a total of 15 franchises across separate men's and women's divisions.

Organized by the Gwalior Division Cricket Association (GDCA) under the aegis of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), the BCCI-approved league kicks off on Wednesday evening. Defending champions Bhopal Leopards, who clinched the men's title last year, will be looking to safeguard their crown against heavily reinforced opposition following the league's first-ever grand player auction.

Aggressive expansion for MPL

The tournament has undergone a structural overhaul this season. The men's division has grown to 10 teams with the introduction of three brand-new franchises: Malwa Stallions, Ujjain Falcons, and Royal Nimar Eagles.

Local organizers confirmed that the addition of these teams is aimed at tapping into the deep cricketing talent pool within the Malwa and Nimar regions. Meanwhile, the women’s competition has scaled up to five teams, establishing a dedicated tournament window from June 4 to June 13 to highlight the state's rising female cricketers.

Holkar Stadium takes center stage

Indore’s iconic Holkar Stadium will serve as the primary battleground for the high-octane matches, accommodating the bulk of the 45 league-stage fixtures. To manage the dense schedule, selected afternoon games are slated to be held at the Daly College Ground.

Ground staff at both venues have been working through the late evening hours to prepare pitches that favor the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket. The tournament openers are expected to draw significant local crowds, given the evening match timings designed for prime-time viewing.

High-stakes cricket and big prizes

The stakes have been raised significantly for the 2026 edition, not just in terms of prestige but also financially. The tournament winners will take home a substantial ₹50 lakh purse alongside the coveted Scindia Cup, while the runners-up will receive ₹25 lakh.

MPL 2026 Prize Structure:

🏆 Champions:  ₹50 Lakh + Scindia Cup

🥈 Runners-up: ₹25 Lakh

The presence of top domestic stars from Madhya Pradesh who have made waves in the IPL and international circuits, including Rajat Patidar and Avesh Khan, adds elite competitive value to the league. Sources familiar with the matter said that IPL scouts are also expected to monitor the 22-day event closely to spot emerging talent.

Packed opening week schedule

The action begins on June 3 at 07:30 PM with the Gwalior Cheetahs taking on the newly formed Ujjain Falcons at the Holkar Stadium. The following day features a double-header, starting with the Malwa Stallions facing the Chambal Ghariyals in the afternoon, followed by a blockbuster evening clash between the Bhopal Leopards and the Indore Pink Panthers.

Broadcast arrangements have been finalized to ensure maximum reach. Matches will be telecast live on Star Sports Khel, while digital streaming rights have been picked up by JioHotstar and FanCode, making the tournament accessible to a global audience.

Race to the knockouts

The men's tournament format follows a rigorous round-robin schedule where consistency will be key. Only the top four teams out of the ten will advance to the knockout stages.

The intense league phase will culminate in the high-stakes semi-finals scheduled for June 25, leading up to the grand final on June 26. With new rivalries sparked by the recent player auction, the upcoming edition promises an unpredictable and highly competitive month of cricket for fans across Madhya Pradesh.