Fans broke glass of apartment to watch Amitabh Bachchan:ISPL season 3 begins today in Surat; Akshay Kumar and Sachin Tendulkar received warm welcome

The third season of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) begins today at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in the Piplod area of Surat. The month-long, high-octane tennis-ball T10 cricket league promises a blend of competitive cricket and glamour, with leading figures from Bollywood and the cricketing world in attendance. The opening ceremony will see the presence of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, actor Akshay Kumar, and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The dignitaries arrived at Surat Airport earlier today, where enthusiastic fans thronged the terminal to catch a glimpse and take photographs. They were also accorded a grand welcome at their hotel. South Indian film star Suriya also arrived alongside the dignitaries, adding further excitement to the event. Fans rushed to take selfies, creating a festive atmosphere both at the airport and outside the hotel premises. Grand opening ceremony with dance and helicopter entry The opening ceremony, scheduled to begin at 5 pm ahead of the first match, will feature a performance by 200 dancers and will be hosted by television star Rupali Ganguly of Anupamaa fame. Actor Akshay Kumar is set to make a dramatic entrance via helicopter, adding to the spectacle. After arriving in Surat, Amitabh Bachchan visited the residence of noted Surat industrialist Sunil Shah, located at Kasarivera Residency in the Adajan area. The industrialist has delayed moving into his newly constructed home until Amitabh Bachchan performed the inaugural entry, which took place today. Crowd goes out of control, glass gate shatters News of Amitabh Bachchan’s visit led to a massive gathering of fans outside Kasarivera Residency. As the crowd grew uncontrollable, chaos ensued, and the main glass entrance gate of the residential complex shattered. Police personnel struggled to manage the situation and safely escort Amitabh Bachchan from the crowd before he was taken back to the hotel. Tournament format and key matches ISPL Season 3 will run until 6 February and will feature eight franchises competing in a total of 44 matches. The opening match will be played between defending champions Majhi Mumbai and Srinagar Ke Veer. Qualifier 1 is scheduled for February 3, the Eliminator on February 4, Qualifier 2 on February 5, and the final on February 6. Four players from Surat are part of this season, underlining the city’s contribution to the league. Platform for street cricket talent The core objective of the ISPL is to provide a professional platform to talented youngsters who play cricket on streets, in housing societies, and on local grounds. Players specialising in tennis-ball cricket from cities across India have been selected, offering them national exposure. Amitabh Bachchan owns the Majhi Mumbai franchise, while Akshay Kumar owns Srinagar Ke Veer. Other team owners include Ajay Devgn (Ahmedabad Lions), Saif Ali Khan (Tigers of Kolkata), and Salman Khan (Delhi Super Heroes). Several celebrities are expected to visit Surat during the tournament to support their teams. All matches will be broadcast live on Star Sports and Jio Hotstar. Prize money and individual honours ISPL has announced a total prize fund of ₹6 crore for Season 3. The winning team will receive ₹2 crore, while the runners-up will be awarded ₹1 crore. The league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be honoured with a brand-new Porsche 911. Officials highlight growth and fan experience League Commissioner and ISPL Core Committee member Suraj Samat said Surat’s strong sporting culture and passionate fan base made it an ideal host city. He noted significant improvement in the quality of emerging players over the past two seasons and expressed confidence that Season 3 would be even more competitive. President of Operations Deepak Chauhan added that fan convenience has been prioritised, with tickets starting at ₹99 and multiple access points at the stadium to ensure a smooth and inclusive matchday experience for spectators across the city.