With the fourth edition of UPT20 With the league just around the corner, excitement is building for the second season of one of India’s fastest growing state franchise tournaments. The competition, which began on August 14, has consistently gained recognition over the last three seasons for providing a platform to young cricketers from Uttar Pradesh to showcase their talent.
Before the new season, bcci vice president Rajeev Shukla Reflecting on the rapid growth of the league and how it has become an important stepping stone for players wishing to enter professional cricket. The 24-day tournament will feature 34 matches before concluding with the final in Kanpur on September 6.
Rajeev Shukla lauds UPT20 league’s contribution to IPL talent pipeline
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Shukla highlighted the growing number of players from Uttar Pradesh Indian Premier League (IPL) After impressing in the UPT20 league. He revealed that around 18 players from the state participated in the IPL this year, and many of them caught the attention of franchise scouts for the first time through consistent performances in the state league. players like Rinku Singh And Sameer Rizvi Further showing how competition can help cricketers establish themselves on bigger stages.
The BCCI Vice President also lauded the success of the UPCA Speed Hunt initiative, which has created a direct path for promising fast bowlers from across Uttar Pradesh. He revealed that 38 fast bowlers capable of consistently bowling at speeds of over 134 kmph earned places in this year’s auction through the programme, while also suggesting that each franchise should include at least one speed hunt player in their uncapped signings to strengthen the state’s fast bowling pipeline.
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The UPT20 League is set for another exciting season
The upcoming edition has already created a lot of buzz after the spectacular auction of players. India’s experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar The experienced leg spinner emerged as the most expensive signing while Karan Sharma It also attracted one of the largest bids, underlining the franchises’ emphasis on experienced campaigners ahead of the new season.
Shukla also talked about the future of the competition and said that the league has reached a stable stage after three successful editions. While the tournament currently consists of six franchises, he said the possibility of expansion would remain open in the coming years if recommended by the Governing Council.
He reiterated the commitment of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association to take top-level cricket beyond the traditional centers by developing infrastructure across the state. As part of that approach, a player auction was held in Agra this year, which Shukla hoped would help strengthen the city’s cricket ecosystem.
The 2026 edition of the UPT20 League will begin at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, where the opening ceremony and preliminary phase of the tournament will be held. The competition will then move to the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, which will host the remaining league matches, playoffs and the final.
