Cricket’s Biggest State, Its Own Big League
Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state and, by any measure, one of its most passionate cricket territories. From the ancient ghats of Varanasi to the bustling streets of Noida, cricket here is not just a sport — it is a way of life. So it was only a matter of time before UP got its own franchise T20 league to match that passion. In 2023, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) launched the UP T20 League (UPT20), and in just three seasons it has already established itself as the most successful state T20 league in India’s domestic talent pipeline — with the highest number of IPL selections among all state leagues.
The concept is simple but powerful: six city-based franchises, representing the cricketing heartlands of Uttar Pradesh, battle it out across three weeks of fast, high-octane T20 cricket. The format mirrors the IPL blueprint — auctions, team jerseys, passionate fanbases, and a knockout-stage crescendo. But at its soul, the UPT20 is something more personal: local pride made competitive.
A Bit of History
The league was launched in 2023 and immediately produced an exciting inaugural edition. Kashi Rudras, representing the ancient city of Varanasi, won the first title, defeating Meerut Mavericks in the final. It was a fitting start — a new league, an unexpected champion, and a sense that something genuinely exciting had been created.
The 2024 edition saw Meerut Mavericks bounce back with a vengeance. They defeated Kashi Rudras in the final to claim their first title, completing a neat role reversal from the inaugural year. By this point, the league had attracted significant viewership, genuine star power — with former India internationals like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rinku Singh, and Nitish Rana all featuring — and growing interest from cricket fans across the country.
The 2025 edition, the third in the series, featured an expanded broadcast presence and a returning cast of fan favourites, with Kashi Rudras once again emerging champions, this time in commanding fashion — defeating Meerut Mavericks by eight wickets in the final.
The Six Teams
The league features six franchises, each representing a city synonymous with UP’s cricketing culture. Together, their squads combine promising domestic talent from across the state with experienced national-level names.
Meerut Mavericks — Captained by none other than Rinku Singh, the finisher who became a household name through his IPL heroics, the Mavericks are one of the most glamorous brands in the league. Rinku’s presence alone guarantees a box-office atmosphere. Their squad also features Kartik Tyagi, the lively fast bowler, and Divyansh Joshi among others. They enter every season as one of the title contenders.
Gaur Gorakhpur Lions — Led by Dhruv Jurel, the wicketkeeper-batter who has earned India recognition, the Lions represent the eastern UP stronghold of Gorakhpur. Their squad includes the dangerous Yash Dayal, a left-arm pacer with IPL credentials, and the energetic Purnank Tyagi. The Lions carry the identity of a gritty, never-say-die outfit.
Kanpur Superstars — The Superstars are captained by Sameer Rizvi, the hard-hitting batter who made headlines at the IPL auction. Their squad features Mohsin Khan, a left-arm seamer of genuine pace and skill who has represented Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. The city of Kanpur has a storied Test cricket history — Green Park Stadium has hosted India matches since 1952 — and the Superstars carry that heritage with pride.
Kashi Rudras — Named after the ancient power of Lord Shiva and representing Varanasi (Kashi), the Rudras are the inaugural champions of the league. Their skipper Karan Sharma, also the most valuable player of the first edition, anchors the batting. Their squad boasts Upendra Yadav, a wicketkeeper-batter with strong T20 instincts, and a mix of seasoned domestic players and emerging UP talent. They are the only franchise to have lifted the trophy twice.
Lucknow Falcons — Captained by Priyam Garg, one of UP’s most reliable red and white-ball batters, the Falcons are the home city franchise, playing their matches at Lucknow’s own Ekana Stadium before a partisan crowd. Their squad in recent seasons has featured Bhuvneshwar Kumar — one of India’s greatest swing bowlers and a Meerut native — bringing genuine gravitas to the league. The Falcons represent the polish and ambition of UP’s capital.
Noida Kings — Captained by Shivam Chaudhary and playing in colours representing India’s fastest-growing city, the Noida Kings are arguably the most cosmopolitan franchise in the league. Their squad has featured Naman Tiwari — who made headlines at the IPL 2026 auction — as well as Karn Sharma, the wrist-spinner who became the highest-paid player at the 2025 UPT20 mini auction, securing INR 17.5 lakh — three and a half times his base price.
The Format
The UPT20 League follows a clean, fan-friendly structure. All six teams play each other twice in a double round-robin format, generating 30 league matches. The top four teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the knockout rounds.
The playoff structure consists of a Qualifier 1 (between the top two teams), an Eliminator (between 3rd and 4th), and a Qualifier 2 (loser of Q1 vs winner of the Eliminator). The winner of Qualifier 2 then faces the winner of Qualifier 1 in the Final. In total, the tournament comprises 34 matches across approximately three weeks.
Match timings follow the double-header template familiar from the IPL: afternoon fixtures start at 3:00 PM IST, while evening games begin at 7:30 PM IST — making it easy for fans to plan their day around the cricket.
The Venue: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
All matches of the UP T20 League are played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow — one of the finest cricket venues in the country and, indeed, one of the best purpose-built cricket stadiums in Asia.
The stadium was constructed in 2017 in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar Extension and renamed in 2018 to honour former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. With a seating capacity of 50,000 spectators and spread across a complex of approximately 71 acres, it ranks among the five largest cricket stadiums in India. Its bowl-shaped, modern architecture features a cantilevered roof that eliminates in-stadium pillars, giving virtually every seat a clear, unobstructed view of the playing surface.
The ground is home to multiple teams: the Uttar Pradesh state side, the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League, and Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. For the UPT20 League, Ekana provides a world-class backdrop — quality floodlights, top-grade broadcasting infrastructure, and the kind of electric atmosphere that a 50,000-seat venue generates when it fills up.
The pitch here offers interesting variety. Two types of wickets have been laid — a black soil surface that tends to stay slow and assists spinners, and a red soil track that is more batting-friendly. The average T20 score at Ekana sits around 165–170, making it a competitive batting surface without being a completely flat road. Historically, teams batting first and chasing have won roughly an equal number of T20 matches at this venue — confirming that both batting first and defending are viable strategies.
How to Watch the UP T20 League
The UPT20 League has built a solid broadcast ecosystem, making it accessible to fans across India on both television and digital platforms.
On Television: Matches are telecast live on the Sports18 network — the same broadcasting family that carries major global sporting events in India. Sports18 has a wide cable and DTH reach, meaning fans across Uttar Pradesh and beyond can watch on their home television sets.
Online / Digital Streaming: For fans who prefer to watch on the go, the FanCode app and website is the primary streaming platform. FanCode has established itself as the go-to destination for domestic and state-level cricket in India, and the UPT20 League is prominently featured on the platform. A FanCode subscription allows users to stream matches live and watch highlights on demand.
Free Viewing: The official UPT20 League YouTube channel carries select free-to-watch content, including highlights, pre-match build-up, and match clips. Fans who do not have FanCode subscriptions can catch the best moments here. The channel also streams the opening ceremony, which in recent seasons has featured Bollywood performances from major stars.
JioHotstar: Some editions have also been available on JioHotstar (formerly JioCinema / Hotstar), though fans are advised to confirm this for the current season, as platform rights can vary year to year. Checking the official UPT20 League website (upt20league.com) is the most reliable source for updated streaming information each season.
Why the UPT20 League Matters
Beyond the entertainment, the UPT20 League serves a clear and valuable cricketing purpose. Uttar Pradesh has long produced some of India’s finest cricketers — from Suresh Raina to Mohammed Shami, from Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Rinku Singh. But state cricket alone does not provide the high-pressure, franchise-cricket environment that modern T20 cricket demands. The UPT20 fills that gap.
As the official UPT20 platform notes, it has produced the highest number of IPL selections from any domestic state league, making it a genuine talent escalator for Indian cricket. Young players get to bat and bowl under lights, in front of large crowds, alongside and against seasoned internationals — experience that is invaluable for their development.
For fans, especially those in Uttar Pradesh, the league offers something the IPL cannot always provide: local identity. The Gorakhpur Lions, the Kashi Rudras, the Lucknow Falcons — these are teams rooted in communities, carrying the pride of cities and regions. That connection runs deep.
Whether you are watching from the stands of Ekana Stadium, on Sports18, or streaming on FanCode from your phone, the UP T20 League is three weeks of cricket that is passionate, competitive, and unmistakably UP. It is well worth your time.
