The Board for Veteran Cricket in India (BVCI) has been making remarkable strides in promoting Veteran Cricket across India. This initiative offers a second innings to retired cricketers, particularly those who have played in Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and other major domestic leagues. Some former Indian cricketers are also part of this growing movement.
BVCI is led by Praveen Tyagi ( As President BVCI ) , a real estate magnate and CMD of the prestigious VVIP Group, known for delivering quality projects in Delhi-NCR. His love for cricket is well-recognized, and his efforts in developing veteran cricket in India have provided a structured platform for ex-cricketers aged 40 and above. This initiative ensures that these players get a full season of competitive cricket every year.
Structure of Veteran Cricket in India
BVCI has divided India into five zones, similar to mainstream domestic cricket. From February 26 to February 28, 2025, BVCI organized the Inter-State Veteran Cricket Championship at VVIP Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ghaziabad. The tournament featured four competing teams: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
In an exclusive conversation with CMD Praveen Tyagi, he shared his vision for veteran cricket in India:
“Veteran Cricket has given a new momentum to retired cricketers, allowing them to continue playing competitive cricket. Many players, after turning 40, either retire completely, run their cricket academies, or take up coaching roles. Some are employed in Public Sector Units (PSUs) under sports quotas, balancing work and family responsibilities. As a result, cricket takes a backseat. Our aim is to bring these players back into the game through veteran cricket.”
Success of IVPL - Indian Veteran Premier League
BVCI successfully organized Season 1 of IVPL – Indian Veteran Premier League, featuring 84 world-class former cricketers from countries like India, Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, and South Africa. Some of the top players included:
- Virender Sehwag (India)
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
- Christopher Mpofu (Zimbabwe)
- Richard Levi (South Africa)
- Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
- Harbhajan Singh (India)
- Yusuf Pathan (India)
- Phil Mustard (England)
This six-franchise league was a mini-IPL for veteran cricketers, with live telecasts that gained immense popularity. The second season is set to be even bigger.
Praveen Tyagi also announced that the top performers from all four teams in the Inter-State Championship will be selected for the Central Zone Team. These players will then compete at the National Veteran Tournament in Dehradun later this year, which will help in forming the National Veteran Cricket Team.
District & State-Level Competitions
To ensure a robust structure, BVCI organizes district-level tournaments, supervised by zonal heads. State teams are then formed based on these performances, and they participate in Inter-State Zonal Leagues. The Central Zone League is currently being hosted in Ghaziabad, with matches streamed live on CricHeroes and VVIP News.
Exclusive Interview with Ravindra Tyagi
During the final match on February 28, 2025, we spoke to Ravindra Tyagi, President of UP Veterans and Vice President of BVCI. He shared his excitement:
“We are thrilled that the Uttar Pradesh team reached the finals. Delhi had many Ranji and Duleep Trophy players, while Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh also had strong squads. The competition was intense, making every match a thrilling experience. Even amateur players are getting a chance to play alongside first-class cricketers, making their dreams come true.”
The Grand Finale: Rajasthan vs. Uttar Pradesh
The final match was an exciting contest between Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Ghaziabad.
- Toss: Rajasthan won and chose to bat first on a turning track.
- Rajasthan’s Batting: None of the batters managed big scores, but Captain Deepak (28 runs) and a quickfire cameo by Narender Meena (28 runs off 9 balls) helped Rajasthan post 129/9 in 20 overs.
- UP’s Bowling: Left-arm spinner Mrityunjay took 3 wickets, while Vikrant and K.S. Rana grabbed 2 wickets each.
- UP’s Chase: UP was at 78/2 in 12 overs when rain interrupted play. DLS method was applied, and UP was declared winners by 8 runs.
Key Performers:
- Man of the Match: Narender Meena (28 runs off 9 balls & 2 wickets)
- Man of the Series: Narender Meena (all-round excellence)
- Best Batsman: Alok Ranjan
The prize distribution was led by BVCI President Praveen Tyagi, Vice President Ravindra Tyagi, and Rajendra Tyagi, a former police officer and sports gold medalist from Rajasthan.
A Grand Closing Ceremony
The final match was witnessed by several dignitaries, including:
- Vibhor & Vaibhav Tyagi – MD’s, VVIP Group
- Vijay Bansal – Treasurer, UP Veterans
- Mukesh Tyagi & Vipin Sirohi
The commentary team, led by National Sports Anchor Aalok Saxena and Avnish Tyagi, kept the audience entertained throughout the tournament.
Other key attendees included Dinesh Sharma (Senior Coach, Ghaziabad), Atul Sharma (Secretary, UP Veterans), Deepak Tyagi (Caretaker, Nehru Stadium), and Manoj Ahlawat & Dushyant Tyagi (VVIP Group Officials).
Conclusion
The Inter-State Veteran Cricket Championship 2025 was a huge success, highlighting the growing popularity of Veteran Cricket in India. With the IVPL and national-level tournaments gaining momentum, BVCI is playing a crucial role in reviving cricket careers for players above 40.
With more leagues and championships on the horizon, Veteran Cricket in India is set to become bigger and better in the years to come.