Kolkata, 26 October 2026 : The Veteran Cricket Bengal Association (VCBA), under the aegis of the Board of Veteran Cricket India (BVCI), held a press conference at the Press Club, Kolkata, to announce the upcoming All India National Cricket League Tournament, scheduled to take place from 27th November, 2026. The event also featured the unveiling of the tournament’s official jersey.
The tournament aims to promote veteran cricket in India by providing experienced cricketers with a platform to continue their passion for the game while encouraging sportsmanship, fitness and camaraderie.
The press conference was attended by Sudhir Kulkarni, Secretary, BVCI, former Irani Trophy player representing the Rest of India team, and coach of former Indian cricketer Kiran More; Dr Sunil Jha, Joint Secretary, BVCI and former President of the Rajasthan Veteran Cricket Association; and A. K. Upadhyay, Secretary of the High Court Club and Member of VCBA.
Speaking on the occasion, Sudhir Kulkarni, Secretary, BVCI, said, “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. Through this tournament, we aim to provide veteran players with a competitive platform to showcase their skills, maintain their sporting spirit and inspire younger generations. The unveiling of the official jersey marks an exciting milestone as we prepare for the tournament in December.”
BVCI-India: A Journey of Nearly Three Decades
The tournament marks another milestone in the journey of the Board of Veteran Cricket India, which was established in India in 1998 under the leadership of its Founder President, the late Shri Chetan Chauhan, former Indian cricketer, in Delhi.
Over the years, BVCI has expanded its network across the country. Six associations were initially established in Kerala, Karnataka, Hyderabad, Vadodara, Gujarat and Rajasthan. In 2005–06, an Indian team participated in a tri-series in Dubai featuring Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. Another tri-series involving 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 steady growth of veteran cricket and the wider community supporting the sport.
BVCI follows a rotational hosting system for zonal tournaments, with participating associations taking turns to host competitions. The annual tournament calendar is decided through its Annual General Meetings. For the 2025–26 season, zonal winners and runners-up were selected to participate in the upcoming National Tournament in Kolkata. The tournament will bring together veteran players from across the country, including teams recognised in the five-team rated category.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Suvendu Adhikari, and the Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge of Youth Services and Sports, Dr. Indranil Khan, have been invited to grace the tournament as patrons.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The All India National Cricket League Tournament will feature T20 matches across a multi-day schedule, culminating in 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
• A Group vs B Group
Prize Distribution: 7:00 PM on the day of the final.
The tournament is expected to bring together veteran cricketers from different regions, offering them an opportunity to compete, reconnect with fellow players and celebrate their enduring contribution to Indian cricket.
Through this initiative, VCBA aims to strengthen the veteran cricket community in Bengal and across India while providing a platform for experienced players to remain actively involved in the sport. The press conference concluded with the unveiling of the official tournament jersey, marking an important step towards the commencement of the National Cricket League Tournament in December 2026.
