The T20 Mumbai League has emerged as one of India’s most significant domestic T20 tournaments, serving as a vital bridge between grassroots cricket and the professional stage. With Mumbai’s rich legacy of producing international stars and IPL talent, the league continues to play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing the next generation of cricketers. As the competition returns with renewed momentum, franchises are not only focused on building competitive squads but also on creating sustainable sporting brands with long-term commercial potential.
In this exclusive conversation with SportsMint Media, Mr Ram Jajodia, Owner of Aakash Tigers, discusses the league’s role in talent development, the opportunities it creates for young male and female cricketers, the growing interest from brands and sponsors, the competitive dynamics of the auction, and the long-term vision behind building a successful franchise in the T20 Mumbai League ecosystem.
1. How important is the T20 Mumbai League for the development of cricket in Mumbai?
Every young cricketer in Mumbai dreams of playing at the highest level. Mumbai has been home to some of India’s greatest cricketers and has consistently contributed talent to Indian cricket. The T20 Mumbai League provides an excellent platform for young players to showcase their abilities. If you look at previous editions, players such as Suryakumar Yadav were identified and given opportunities at a young age. Today, he is representing India and has become a major IPL star. Similarly, players like Shivam Dube and several others have progressed through this ecosystem.
The league allows young cricketers to compete, perform under pressure and gain exposure. It gives them a chance to be noticed by selectors, scouts and franchises. Ultimately, our goal is to help Mumbai cricket continue producing players who can go on to represent India.
This year, we have also introduced the women’s competition. Women’s cricket is growing rapidly in India, and we want to provide the same opportunities and visibility to female cricketers from Mumbai.
2. Which players do you believe could emerge from this season and make a mark in the future?
The league already features some of the biggest names in Indian cricket. Players such as Suryakumar Yadav, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal are part of the tournament, bringing tremendous experience and quality to the competition.
At the same time, there are several talented young players participating in both the men’s and women’s competitions. I am confident that some of these youngsters will go on to play at the highest level in the coming years. The league is designed to create exactly those opportunities.
3. From a business perspective, what conversations do you have with brands and sponsors when pitching the league?
Our message to brands is simple: cricket is an emotion in India, and Mumbai is one of the biggest centres of Indian cricket. By associating with the T20 Mumbai League, brands get an opportunity to connect with passionate cricket fans while supporting the development of future Indian cricketers. The league enjoys strong visibility through its broadcast partnership with JioStar, which significantly enhances the reach and value available to sponsors.
For brands, it is not just about exposure in Mumbai; it is about connecting with cricket audiences across India through a credible and growing sports property.
4. Do conversations with sponsors also focus on return on investment?
Absolutely. The league’s television and digital reach provide brands with consistent visibility throughout the tournament. Through broadcast coverage, on-ground activations and digital engagement, sponsors receive significant exposure and opportunities to connect with consumers.
As the league continues to grow, the value delivered to sponsors will continue to increase as well.
6. What is the experience of building a team through the auction process?
The auction is highly competitive. We have eight franchises, all of whom are ambitious and well-prepared. Mumbai has an incredible pool of cricketing talent, which makes the selection process exciting but also challenging. Building a balanced squad requires careful planning. There is strong competition among franchises for top players, and assembling the right combination is never easy. Once the auction is complete, teams invest significant time in preparation, training and building chemistry ahead of the tournament.
7. Alongside the cricketing objective of developing talent, what are the commercial goals for a franchise such as Akash Tigers?
Cricket has a deep emotional connection with fans. Like the IPL in its early years, building a successful commercial model takes time. The primary objective is to create a strong fan base and establish a meaningful connection with supporters. As audience engagement grows, commercial opportunities naturally follow. The model is very similar to what we have seen with the IPL—focus first on building the sporting product and fan interest, and the commercial growth will come alongside it. That is the long-term vision for franchises participating in the T20 Mumbai League.
