Inaugural UPT20 to be played from August 30 to September 16

Lucknow, 16^th August 2023: Cricket enthusiasts, get ready to witness an unparalleled spectacle of sportsmanship and exhilaration as the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association's much-awaited cricket league, UPT20, has announced the dates for its inaugural season. The tournament is scheduled to kick off on 30^th August 2023, while its final will be played on 16^th September 2023.

The UPT20 is being organised by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and will be managed by Perfect-Pitch Events & Sports Private Limited. All matches of the tournament will be played at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. 

The forthcoming UPT20, poised to unfold in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, promises an exhilarating journey for fans and an unparalleled boost to the cricketing landscape in the region. This dynamic T20 league will serve as a platform to showcase both local talents and international stars, igniting the passions of cricket enthusiasts and fostering a new era of excitement.  

As the league unfolds, it will not only captivate spectators with its electrifying matches but also play a pivotal role in nurturing budding talents and elevating the overall standard of cricket within the state. With a strategic blend of sportsmanship and entertainment, UPT20 is poised to create a lasting legacy that will contribute to the game's growth and development for years to come. 

The tournament will feature six dynamic teams representing different cities - Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow, Kanpur, Meerut, and Noida, within Uttar Pradesh, competing in a high-octane series of T20 matches that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. The action-packed tournament will span 18 days, culminating in a grand finale that promises to be a fitting climax to weeks of intense competition. 

The franchises’ auction for the UPT20 took place on 16th August 2023 at Hotel Hyatt Regency in Lucknow and it was headed by the expert panel comprising of Shri D.S. Chauhan, (Chairperson, Governing Council, UP T20 League) Shri Arvind Srivastava, (Hony. Secretary UPCA & Member Governing Council), Shri Prem Manohar Gupta (Hony. Treasurer & Member Governing Council), Mr. Ankit Chatterjee (CEO, UPCA, and Member Governing Council) along with Retd. Justice Shri Rakesh Sharma (Allahabad High Court) to own a Franchisee in the UP T20 League. 

The process began with each applicant presenting their experience, ideas, and vision on supporting the development of cricketing activities in line with the objectives of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association following which the qualified bidders were called to submit their financial bids for the city that they thought they will be best suited for to promote the game of cricket. 

The notice inviting tender outlined the 6 Cities for which rights were to the below-mentioned successful bidders for a period of 5 Years: 

VCORP Flavours Private Limited (A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Vishnu And Company Trademarks Private Limited) bought Kanpur Team for a whopping amount of INR 7.2 Crores per year, while Lucknow Team was sold to the Joint Venture of Ekana Sportz City Private Limited and G.C. Construction & Development Industries Private Limited for the hefty amount of INR 6 Crores per year.

Team Varanasi was bought by Joint Venture of Yan Transport Services Private Limited for INR 6.5 Crores per year, while Samavisht Energy Solutions Private Limited (A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Montage Enterprises Private Limited) became the proud owner of Noida Team by spending INR 6 Crores per year.

Also, Meerut Team was acquired by Joint Venture of Team Aviation India Private Limited for INR 5.5 Crores per year and Joint Venture of Gaursons India Private Limited & Gaursons Realtech Private Limited purchased Gorakhpur Team for INR 6 Crores per year. 

The league's organizing committee, in collaboration with cricketing experts and stakeholders, has meticulously designed UPT20 to become a breeding ground for emerging talents while also providing established players with a unique platform to showcase their skills. Through this league, Uttar Pradesh aims to contribute significantly to the growth and development of cricket in the region and on the global stage. 

Mr. Devendra Singh Chauhan, the Chairperson of the UPT20, expressed his excitement about the league's potential impact and said, "We stand on the brink of a remarkable cricketing journey as we proudly introduce UPT20 to the world. My heartfelt congratulations to all the franchise owners for coming on board. I am extremely excited that UPCA has gone ahead with the UPT20. This league is a remarkable opportunity for our young talents to shine and exhibit their skills, propelling Uttar Pradesh to become a reservoir of cricketing prowess for our nation." 

“This league will ignite passion, unite communities, and boost the spirit of sportsmanship. UPT20 will not only enthrall fans with electrifying matches but also create a pathway for the next generation of cricket stars. Our aim is to forge an unforgettable legacy that will reverberate in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts across Uttar Pradesh and beyond," he added. 

Echoing similar thoughts, Shri Arvind Srivastava, the Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) said, "UPT20 transcends being just a cricket tournament; it serves as a stage to spotlight Uttar Pradesh's athletic prowess, highlighting its reservoir of talent. Our aim is for the state to evolve into a prime nurturing ground for scouts, underscoring its immense potential in the world of sports. We hope to engage fans like never before through this tournament.

Broadcast details and team compositions for the UPT20 will be announced in the coming days, adding to the mounting excitement surrounding the cricket league.