Youth Cricket Premier League Brings the Spirit of Cricket to Houston's High Schoolers

CONROE, TX -- Cricket is gaining momentum in the Greater Houston Area, and one local league is working to give students a chance to play in a structured, safe, and inclusive environment. The Youth Cricket Premier League (YCPL), launched in August 2024, brings together over 150 players from 12 schools, including those in Conroe, Tomball, Katy, Fort Bend, Cypress-Fairbanks, and Klein ISDs, as well as private institutions. YCPL was founded by Sanjan Sarang, Siddharth Jain, Ashutosh Sahu, Krushal Panda, and Aryan Khandelwal, the Academy of Science and Technology students. The board was then expanded to encompass students across Houston and ensure our outreach.

The idea for the league emerged after students noticed that, while many individuals wanted to play recreational cricket, opportunities for organized match play were limited. YCPL was created to address this need, offering regular tournaments and a consistent schedule for players aged 12 to 18. Participants range from beginners to players with several years of experience.

Safety is a key focus: the league uses tape balls instead of traditional cricket balls to reduce injury risk and requires proper protective gear at all matches. Umpires are present to ensure games follow established rules, including a no-tolerance policy for unsafe play.

To make the league accessible and sustainable, YCPL involves member teams in scheduling decisions and aims to build a sense of community around the sport. Plans for expansion include summer cricket camps, additional teams in Northern Houston to ease travel demands, and long-term growth into other Texas cities like Dallas and Austin.

For more information or to get involved, visit https://ycpl.org.