Indore to host Sanatan Premier League for acid attack survivors, trophy to be taken to 'sacred places' like Vrindavan

Former members of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team are associated with the tournament, and Madan Lal Sharma will serve as the league commissioner.

Updated on: Feb 20, 2026, 09:19:28 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Indore will host a cricket tournament next month to support women who have survived acid attacks. The tournament, named as Sanatan Premier League, will be played at the Nehru Stadium and is scheduled for March 12-15. Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur informed reporters that a sum of ₹500 will be collected for every run scored, and it will be given to women who have suffered acid attacks.

Players pose for a photo during trials for the Sanatan Premier League. (Instagram)

"A sum of ₹500 will be collected for every run scored. After the event, the money will be provided to women who have suffered acid attacks," he said, while speaking to PTI.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy final shifted to Hubballi as M Chinnaswamy Stadium undergoes safety upgrades

Devkinandan is a renowned spiritual leader, Katha orator and bhajan singer specialising in Bhagwat Katha and Ram Katha.

The tournament will feature eight teams, with players from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Gujarat. The winning team will receive ₹31 lakh, and the runner-up will get ₹15 lakh.

Former members of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team are associated with the tournament, and Madan Lal Sharma will serve as the league commissioner. Other religious leaders, like Indresh Upadhyay, will also be involved. The initiative seeks to blend cricket with cultural and spiritual outreach to engage youth.

The organisers also revealed that the trophy will tour pilgrimage sites across India after the tournament. Indore has been picked as the host due to its cultural significance and proximity to Ujjain's Mahakal region.

An acid attack is a type of assault where a corrosive substance is thrown on a person, with the intention of harming them. The most commonly used substances are sulphuric, hydrochloric and nitric acid. Acid attacks can melt the skin and flesh, exposing and even dissolving bones.

It causes excruciating pain for the victim, severe burns, scarring, blindness and other disabilities. It can even put a victim into a permanent vegetative state. Apart from physical injuries, acid attacks also lead to significant psychological trauma and socio-economic harm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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