India’s esports scene just hit a new milestone. JetSynthesys wrapped up the player auction for Season 3 of the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL), and the numbers tell a story of a maturing industry — 56 players sold across eight franchises, a combined spend of ₹62.75 lakh, and a new record for the league’s most expensive player ever.
Table of Contents
GEPL S3 Auction Highlights
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Players Sold | 56 across 8 franchises |
| Total Spend | ₹62.75 lakh (against a ₹64 lakh purse) |
| Most Expensive Player | Jetha Ram (Mumbai Grizzlies) — ₹3.50 lakh |
| New Franchises | Kolkata Hawks, Gujarat Wolves |
| Powered By | Real Cricket™ (400M+ lifetime downloads) |
| Tournament Dates | August 1–9, 2026, Pune |
| Prize Pool | ₹3.1 crore |
A Record-Breaking Auction
All-rounder Jetha Ram became the costliest player in GEPL’s three-season history, going to Mumbai Grizzlies for ₹3.50 lakh. He was closely followed by Sagar Aanjana (Pune Stallions, ₹3.40 lakh), Sachin Chavan (Hyderabad Rhinos, ₹3.30 lakh), and Golden Kumar, who joined the newly added Kolkata Hawks for ₹3.10 lakh. Notably, four of the season’s five priciest picks switched franchises entirely, signaling a market where teams are chasing proven performers rather than rebuilding around last season’s squads.
League Expansion and Star-Studded Ownership
GEPL now fields eight full franchises with the addition of Kolkata Hawks, owned by singer Sonu Nigam, and Gujarat Wolves, owned by esports veteran Scout (Tanmay Singh). The league’s ownership roster reads like a who’s-who of sports and entertainment, including Sara Tendulkar, Suniel Shetty, Peyush Bansal, and Nikhil Kamath among others. JetSynthesys Chairman Rajan Navani described the auction as reflecting the growing maturity of India’s e-cricket ecosystem, while SVP Jogesh Lulla pointed to rising player valuations as proof that esports athletes can now build sustainable, structured careers.
Season 2 had already drawn over 174 million broadcast impressions on Star Sports; Season 3 builds on that with continued partnerships across Star Sports and JioHotstar.
For more esports and gaming industry updates, check out related coverage on TechnoSports.
To understand how competitive gaming has evolved into a structured industry, Wikipedia’s overview of esports offers useful context.
FAQs
Q1: Who is GEPL Season 3’s most expensive player?
Jetha Ram, bought by Mumbai Grizzlies for ₹3.50 lakh, a league record.
Q2: When and where will GEPL Season 3 be held?
From August 1–9, 2026, at the Jairaj Sports & Convention Centre, Pune.
