Poker in India continues to grow as Viaan Industries, and the International Federation of Poker sell eight franchises for their inaugural Match Indian Poker League experience.

While he may not be setting any trends in the hair department, Alex Dreyfus can take some pride in the fact that his Global Poker League (GPL) has made team poker cool again.

As GPL China rumbles on, and Dreyfus continues to prepare for a new look GPL Season 2, the second most populous country in the world, has decided to get in on the act, organising two leagues within a matter of months.

The latest endeavour: Match Indian Poker League (IPL), is the brainchild of Viaan Industries and the International Federation of Poker (IFP). The two men responsible for the new league are Viaan’s Raj Kundra and the IFP’s Patrick Nally.