Kolkata: The Veteran Cricket Bengal Association (VCBA), under the aegis of the Board of Veteran Cricket India (BVCI), has announced the upcoming All India National Cricket League Tournament, scheduled to begin on November 27, 2026. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Press Club, Kolkata, on Monday, where the official tournament jersey was also unveiled.
The tournament aims to bring veteran cricketers from different parts of the country together, providing them with a competitive platform to continue playing the game while promoting fitness, sportsmanship and camaraderie among experienced players.
The press conference was attended by Sudhir Kulkarni, Secretary of BVCI and a former Irani Trophy player who represented the Rest of India team; Dr Sunil Jha, Joint Secretary of BVCI and former President of the Rajasthan Veteran Cricket Association; and A. K. Upadhyay, Secretary of the High Court Club and a member of VCBA.
Veteran Cricket Gets a National Platform
Addressing the gathering, Sudhir Kulkarni highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for experienced cricketers to remain actively involved in the sport.
“The All India National Cricket League Tournament is an important initiative to promote veteran cricket and recognise the continued passion and commitment of experienced cricketers. Cricket is not just a sport; it is a lifelong passion that brings people together across generations,” Kulkarni said.
He added that the tournament would offer veteran players an opportunity to showcase their skills, maintain their sporting spirit and inspire younger generations. He described the unveiling of the official jersey as an important milestone ahead of the national competition.
BVCI’s Journey Since 1998
The upcoming league marks another milestone in the journey of the Board of Veteran Cricket India, which was established in Delhi in 1998 under the leadership of its founder president, the late Chetan Chauhan, former Indian cricketer.
According to the association, six regional associations were initially established in Kerala, Karnataka, Hyderabad, Vadodara, Gujarat and Rajasthan. During the 2005–06 season, an Indian team participated in a tri-series in Dubai involving Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. A similar competition featuring the three countries followed in 2007–08.
From 2009 onwards, 14 associations participated under the BVCI banner. The organisation currently has 16 associations across India, reflecting the expansion of its network and the growing reach of veteran cricket.
BVCI follows a rotational system for hosting zonal tournaments, allowing participating associations to take turns organising competitions. Its annual tournament calendar is decided at the Annual General Meeting.
For the 2025–26 season, the zonal winners and runners-up were selected to participate in the upcoming national tournament in Kolkata. The competition is expected to feature teams from different parts of the country, including sides recognised in the five-team rated category.
West Bengal Leadership Invited as Patrons
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Dr Indranil Khan, Minister-in-Charge of Youth Services and Sports, have been invited to attend the tournament as patrons.
Their proposed association with the event is expected to add prominence to the national-level competition, which seeks to strengthen the veteran cricket community in Bengal and beyond.
T20 Matches Planned Over Multiple Days
The All India National Cricket League will feature T20 matches over a multi-day schedule, followed by the final and prize distribution ceremony.
Day 1
- 9:00 AM: West Bengal vs Tamil Nadu
- 1:00 PM: Andhra Pradesh vs Madhya Pradesh
- 4:00 PM: Tamil Nadu vs Gujarat
- 7:00 PM: Madhya Pradesh vs Vadodara
Day 2
- 9:00 AM: West Bengal vs Gujarat
- 1:00 PM: Vadodara vs Andhra Pradesh
Final and Prize Distribution
- Final: A Group vs B Group
- Prize distribution: 7:00 PM on the day of the final
The organisers have not specified the venue and date for each individual fixture in the schedule provided.
Jersey Unveiling Marks Countdown to Tournament
The press conference concluded with the unveiling of the official tournament jersey, marking a key step towards the commencement of the national league.
The tournament is expected to provide veteran cricketers with an opportunity to compete, reconnect with former and fellow players, and celebrate their continued contribution to Indian cricket. Through the initiative, VCBA aims to expand the reach of veteran cricket in West Bengal while strengthening its links with associations across the country.
With teams from multiple regions set to participate, the National Cricket League is positioned as a platform for experienced players to keep their passion for cricket alive and remain connected to the game beyond their regular competitive careers.
