Andhra Premier League 2026: IPL style thrills with high scores and close finishes

Kakinada Kings players celebrate their victory over Vizag Simhadri Lions during the opening match of the Andhra Premier League at the Dr YSR ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The fifth season of the Andhra Premier League (APL) got off to a thrilling start. Just three matches into the season, fans witnessed high-scoring encounters and final thrillers at the scenic Dr YSR ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam that rivaled the excitement and intensity of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Vizag Simhadri Lions batsman bowls while Kakinada Kings wicketkeeper looks on during the high-scoring opening match of the Andhra Premier League at the Dr YSR ACA VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Over the years, the APL has steadily grown in size and popularity, becoming a major platform for budding cricketers from Andhra Pradesh to showcase their talent. The league has played a significant role in nurturing several players who have gone on to make it nationally and in the IPL. His notable achievements include Indian international cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy. . Vijaya Tripurana, who made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals this season, P Venkata Satyanarayana Raju of Mumbai Indians and Pyla Avinash of Punjab Kings were promoted through the league, underscoring the league’s growing importance as a pathway to higher levels of cricket.

Vizag Simhadri Lions supporters cheer enthusiastically for their team from the stands during the Andhra Premier League match at the Dr YSR ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

With IPL franchises increasingly looking for talent from the state’s T20 competitions, players participating in the APL want to make the most of the opportunity. As many as 553 cricketers registered for the Season 5 Player Auction, although only a select few won contracts with participating franchises.

Amaravati Royals players celebrate a wicket during the Andhra Premier League match at the Dr YSR ACA-VDCA International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In addition to being a hotbed of talent, the APL has also built a reputation for its competitiveness. Since its inception in 2022, the tournament has produced four different champions, underscoring the balanced nature of the competition. Coastal Riders, Rayalaseema Kings, Vizag Warriors and Tungabhadra Warriors have lifted the trophy in previous editions, with Tungabhadra Warriors entering the current season as the defending champions.

The league continued to evolve in scope and structure. While earlier editions featured six franchises, the competition has been expanded to seven teams from the 2025 season, leading to an increase in the number of matches. The APL also follows the Impact Player rule, giving another cricketer the opportunity to contribute in every match.

The highlight of Season 5 is its expansion into a multi-city tournament. Unlike last year, the matches are being played at three venues: Visakhapatnam, Mangalagiri and Kadapa. The move is aimed at exposing the players to changing pitch and playing conditions while offering the game to cricket enthusiasts in different areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Commenting on the development, APL Chairman Sujaya Krishna Ranga Rao says the multi-city format has been introduced with improved facilities and infrastructure to further promote cricketing talent across the state.

According to him, the accommodation and equipment of the players has improved significantly this season. Considerable investment has also been made to improve the stadium’s infrastructure. The stadium in Kadapa can now host international matches, while the ACA Stadium in Mangalagiri has undergone a ₹50 crore renovation to meet modern standards.

Ranga Rao says the board plans to expand the tournament to more venues in the coming years to ensure cricket reaches every corner of Andhra Pradesh.

“APL has become an important platform for rural sportspersons. The success of the league will help local players advance to national level tournaments like Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Indian Premier League. We hope to see more cricketers from Andhra Pradesh to represent India in future,” he says.

Entry to matches is free.

Tournament tracker

The tournament is organized in a ‘Round-Robin’ format where each team will play all other teams

While the day matches are scheduled to start at 1:30 PM, the day and night matches will start at 7:30 PM.

Visakhapatnam: Matches from June 9 to June 14

Kadapa: Matches from 17th June to 21st June

Mangalagiri: Matches from 24th June to 30th June

Published – 13 Jun 2026 11:31 IST