The Madhya Pradesh T20 League 2026 (also called MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026) features 10 men’s teams and 5 women’s franchises, making it the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.
Moreover, three new men’s franchises and two new women’s teams have been added for this season, so there’s plenty of fresh competition on the cards.
Organized by the Gwalior Division Cricket Association (GDCA) under the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), the tournament consequently kicks off on June 3, 2026 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. This article covers every team, their owners, confirmed squads, and star players you should keep an eye on.
MPL T20 2026 Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 |
| Organizer | GDCA under MPCA |
| Dates | June 3 – June 26, 2026 |
| Venue (Men’s) | Holkar Stadium, Indore |
| Venue (Women’s) | Daly College, Indore |
| Men’s Teams | 10 |
| Women’s Teams | 5 |
| Title Sponsor | Aditya Birla Group |
| Defending Champions | Bhopal Leopards (2025) |
| MPCA President | Mahanaaryaman Scindia |
All 10 Men’s Teams in MPL T20 2026
Previously, seven franchises competed in the 2025 season. However, the men’s competition has now expanded significantly. Malwa Stallions, Ujjain Falcons, and Royal Nimar Eagles are the three new entrants for 2026. Here’s the full list of Madhya Pradesh T20 League 2026 teams along with their owners and home cities.
| # | Team | City/Region | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhopal Leopards | Bhopal | HMG Sports | Defending Champions |
| 2 | Gwalior Cheetahs | Gwalior | JK Cement | Returning |
| 3 | Indore Pink Panthers | Indore | Moira Group | Returning |
| 4 | Bundelkhand Bulls | Bundelkhand | RW Group | Returning |
| 5 | Chambal Ghariyals | Chambal | Devraj Hospital | Returning (2025 Runners-up) |
| 6 | Jabalpur Royal Lions | Jabalpur | Econexis | Returning (2024 Champions) |
| 7 | Rewa Jaguars | Rewa | Swara Baby Products | Returning |
| 8 | Malwa Stallions | Malwa | TBA | New Franchise |
| 9 | Ujjain Falcons | Ujjain | TBA | New Franchise |
| 10 | Royal Nimar Eagles | Nimar | TBA | New Franchise |
Notably, the franchise names celebrate Madhya Pradesh’s rich wildlife heritage. Leopards, Cheetahs, Ghariyals (crocodiles), Eagles, and Falcons are all native to the state’s forests and national parks. In other words, this is basically a T20 safari. Source:
Star Players to Watch in MPL T20 2026
One of the MPL’s biggest draws is clearly the presence of IPL and India international players. Here are the marquee names that are either confirmed or expected across the 10 men’s teams.
| Player | Team | Role | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venkatesh Iyer | Indore Pink Panthers | All-Rounder | Active IPL star; explosive batting form in 2026 |
| Rajat Patidar | Gwalior Cheetahs | Batter | IPL hero with RCB; aggressive top-order bat |
| Avesh Khan | Bundelkhand Bulls | Fast Bowler | 87 IPL wickets; clocks 145 km/h regularly |
| Kuldeep Sen | Chambal Ghariyals | Fast Bowler | India international; express pace |
| Kumar Kartikeya | Rewa Jaguars | Spinner | IPL mystery spinner; T20 match-winner |
| Aniket Verma | Bhopal Leopards | All-Rounder | MPL 2024 top scorer (273 runs) |
| Saransh Jain | Jabalpur Royal Lions | All-Rounder | Captain of 2024 championship-winning side |
| Mohd. Arshad Khan | Bhopal Leopards | Bowler | Key wicket-taker for defending champions |
MPL T20 Past Champions
Although the tournament is still young, having started only in 2024, two seasons have already produced two different champions. This clearly speaks to the competitive nature of the league.
| Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Inaugural) | Jabalpur Lions | Bhopal Leopards | Won by 33 runs |
| 2025 | Bhopal Leopards | Chambal Ghariyals | Won by 2 runs |
MPL T20 2026 Women’s Teams
The women’s tournament has grown significantly, moving from just 3 teams in 2025 to 5 teams in 2026. Accordingly, two new franchises have joined the competition, expanding opportunities for women cricketers across Madhya Pradesh.
| # | Team | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhopal Wolves | Bhopal | Returning |
| 2 | Bundelkhand Bulls | Bundelkhand | Returning |
| 3 | Chambal Ghariyals | Chambal | Returning |
| 4 | Gwalior Shernis | Gwalior | New Franchise |
| 5 | Royal Nimar Eagles | Nimar | New Franchise |
The women’s tournament begins on June 4, with Chambal Ghariyals facing Gwalior Shernis at Daly College, Indore at 10:00 AM.
What’s New in MPL T20 2026?
Several important changes make the 2026 edition stand out from previous seasons. Here are the highlights.
Expansion from 7 to 10 Men’s Teams
First, the men’s competition has grown by nearly 43%, jumping from 7 teams in 2025 to 10 in 2026. As a result, there will be more matches, more opportunities for local players, and a longer tournament window (June 3 to June 26). MPCA President Mahanaaryaman Scindia praised the expansion, stating that it is a positive step for discovering fresh talent.
Aditya Birla Group as Title Sponsor
Second, the Aditya Birla Group has come on board as the official title sponsor for MPL 2026, which brings serious corporate backing to the tournament. This therefore signals that the league is gaining traction with major Indian conglomerates.
Venue Shift to Holkar Stadium, Indore
Third, while the 2024 and 2025 editions were held at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior, the 2026 men’s matches have moved to the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Since Holkar Stadium is one of India’s premier cricket venues and has hosted international matches, this should attract larger crowds and better TV viewership.
Where to Watch MPL T20 2026 Live
Based on the 2025 broadcast arrangement, MPL 2025 was streamed live on FanCode and telecasted on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports Select 1. Similarly, the 2026 streaming details are expected to follow a comparable pattern.
For confirmed 2026 broadcast partners, fans should check the official MPL website closer to the tournament start date.
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Final Word
The Madhya Pradesh T20 League 2026 is shaping up to be a cracker of a tournament. With 10 men’s teams, 5 women’s franchises, IPL stars in the mix, and the Aditya Birla Group backing the event, cricket in the heart of India has never looked this exciting.
Whether you’re tracking the defending champions Bhopal Leopards or keeping an eye on the new franchises, every team brings something unique to the table.
