T20 Mumbai League 2025 to kick off with star-studded icon player lineup

Suryakumar Yadav (Pic: AFP)

Making a grand return after a six-year hiatus, the T20 Mumbai League 2025 saw the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officially unveil the icon players for all eight franchises during a marquee event held in Mumbai on Friday.

Topping the list are Indian cricket stalwarts Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer, who have been named the marquee players for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East and SoBo Mumbai Falcons, respectively. The announcement lays a strong foundation ahead of the high-profile Season 3 mega auction, slated for May 7 in Mumbai.

Each of the eight franchises has roped in one icon player for a fixed fee of Rs 20 lakh. These elite signings will form the cornerstone of their squads, around which the rest of the team will be strategically built.

List of icon players and their respective franchises

Prithvi Shaw - North Mumbai Panthers

Shivam Dube - ARCS Andheri

Suryakumar Yadav - Triumph Knights Mumbai North East

Ajinkya Rahane - Bandra Blasters

Shardul Thakur - Eagle Thane Strikers

Sarfaraz Khan - Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs

Shreyas Iyer - SoBo Mumbai Falcons

Tushar Deshpande - Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals

Speaking at the event, MCA President Ajinkya Naik remarked, "Today's event marks a significant milestone in shaping the core identity and vision of each franchise. With established stars finalised as icon players, teams are now well-positioned to build strong and competitive squads at the upcoming mega auction, which will showcase the finest cricketing talent from the city. The T20 Mumbai League continues to serve as a vital platform for discovering and nurturing emerging players. We remain committed to strengthening grassroots cricket while delivering a world-class experience for both players and fans."

These icon players, celebrated for their contributions to both domestic and international cricket, are set to bring immense skill, charisma, and competitive spirit to the league.

The mega auction on May 7 will witness franchises competing to build balanced squads from a deep talent pool. The third season of the T20 Mumbai League 2025 is scheduled to take place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium from May 26 to June 8, promising high-octane action and new rivalries in one of India's premier domestic T20 competitions.