Swades Premier League: Cricket Fever Hits Santa Clara University

Photo by Arushi Mangla. A batsman takes a shot as teammates and competition watch the ball.

The spirit of cricket has come alive near Santa Clara University’s campus at Larry J. Marsalli Park, where the graduate-student-led Indian club “Swades” is hosting the exciting Swades Premier League. Modeled after India’s celebrated Indian Premier League, the Swades league has quickly become a favorite weekend event, featuring spirited competition among five enthusiastic teams: the Sapphire Stormers, Chilipi Tigers, Chulbul Chargers, Lagaan Legends and Mass Maharajas.

This year’s tournament uses CricClubs, a live scoring app that allows players and fans to follow matches, team standings and individual stats in real-time. The Sapphire Stormers currently lead the league with a flawless record, winning all three of their matches, followed closely by the Chilipi Tigers and Chulbul Chargers.

Notable individual performances include Sai Ram Motupalli ’25 from Chilipi, who stands out with top-scoring batting and bowling performances. Ajay Deshmukh ’20 from Mass Maharajas is another top performer with extraordinary fielding skills.

One of the recent highlights was a batting display by a Sapphire Stormers player, who thrilled spectators by hitting three consecutive sixes in a single over. “Such moments are rare and genuinely exciting,” remarked a player from the league.

The Swades league showcases a diverse mix of players from master’s students studying computer science, information systems and robotics, just to name a few. They represent various Indian states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. “Team selections during auctions balanced friendships, skill levels and strategic needs,” noted a participating player.

The league remains student-driven, with players personally covering expenses such as ground bookings and essential supplies. Participants have expressed a desire for more support from Santa Clara University, including jersey sponsorships, refreshments and first-aid facilities.

As the Swades Premier League progresses, it continues to attract growing attention, showcasing the vibrant energy and community spirit among Santa Clara University students.