Sanatan Premier League: Cricket isn’t British game, Gita mentions Lord Krishna striking ball, say seers

INDORE: Nehru Stadium in Indore saw an unusual sight as saints in saffron robes and former international cricketers shared the same cricket field during the first edition of the Sanatan Premier League (SPL), where devotion and cricket met on the same pitch on Sunday.

The tournament, played in a T10 tennis ball format, has brought together eight teams and young players drawn from various local leagues. The event is being held under the guidance of preacher Devkinandan Thakur, who inaugurated the league on Mar 12.

During the inauguration, Thakur claimed that cricket's roots could be traced to Hindu mythology rather than England. Referring to a story from the Bhagwat Gita, he said Lord Krishna once struck a ball with a bat which fell into the Yamuna while confronting the serpent Kali Naag.

"Many people say cricket is a British game, but the Bhagwat Gita mentions Lord Krishna strikes a ball with a bat and it falls into the Yamuna while confronting Kali Naag. Then how can it be called a British game?" he said.

Organisers said the Sanatan Premier League was conceived as a platform to encourage young cricketers, particularly those playing in local and tennis ball leagues, to showcase their talent.

"Every society wants to pass its values on to the youth. We also want to do the same," said Devkinandan Thakur, adding that the initiative aims to bring players from smaller towns and villages into the spotlight and provide them wider exposure. The matches were broadcast live across the country on national television. "When these children meet saints and international cricketers and receive their guidance, it becomes a meaningful experience for them," he said.

Former India cricketer Madan Lal was the league's commissioner along with former fast bowler Chetan Sharma, who served as commentator for the tournament. Meanwhile former India cricketers Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla, Praveen Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Chetan Sharma and Maninder Singh squared off against noted religious leaders including Devkinandan Thakur, Pradeep Mishra and Indresh Upadhyay in a special friendly match during the Sanatan Premier League Season-1.

After the match former India spinner Piyush Chawla said the league provides an encouraging stage for young players. "Cricketers are being picked from various leagues, even tennis ball competitions. If children are getting an opportunity to play and showcase their talent, that itself is important," he said.

Former pacer Mohit Sharma also stressed the need to promote such events as several participants come from smaller towns and villages. "This tournament should grow so these youngsters get wider exposure," he said.

The closing events turned the stadium into a lively spectacle as saints traded their sermons for cricket bats in a five over friendly contest against former international players. Batting first, Legends Eleven put up 89 runs for four wickets, with Chawla scoring 38 and Suresh Raina adding 20.

The chase, however, belonged to the saints. Leading the charge, Devkinandan Thakur struck a brisk 62 off 25 balls, laced with nine fours and four sixes, guiding Maharaj Eleven to a 10-wicket victory as the side chased down the target of 90 without losing a wicket.

In the tournament final played on Sunday, Rajasthan Ranbankure defeated Madhya Pradesh to clinch the SPL Season 1 title. Batting first, Rajasthan set a target of 74 runs. Madhya Pradesh, however, fell short in the chase, handing Rajasthan the championship.

Several religious leaders including Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati, Pandit Pradeep Mishra and Indresh Upadhyay were present during the event, lending the tournament a rare blend of spirituality and sport.