Cinema VinesThe fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UPT20) is set to kick off on August 14 at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, featuring a grand opening ceremony that will blend music, drone displays and fireworks. The event will showcase performances by singer Jasmine Sandlas, known for her hit “Dhurandhar,” and musician Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, with the ceremony hosted by actor Jatin Sapru.
In addition to the musical acts, a theme‑based drone show and dazzling fireworks are planned to create a festive atmosphere. The opening match will pit last year’s champions Kashi Rudras against the runners‑up, Meerut Mavericks, setting the tone for a 22‑match schedule in Lucknow and 12 matches in Kanpur, with a potential expansion to Varanasi next year.
Sanjoy Kapoor, chairman of the UPT20 Governing Council, described the event as a “UP Ka Utsav,” emphasizing the blend of cricket and local culture. He highlighted the introduction of affordable ticket prices—₹349 and ₹499—introduced by advisor Awanish Awasthi, to encourage wider attendance. The league will feature all-star UP players, excluding those on the Indian national team, and will culminate in finals held in Kanpur on September 6.
Other notable announcements include the upcoming auction in Agra on July 24, with actor Angad Bedi slated to serve as auctioneer. Awasthi also called for a women’s edition of UPT20, suggesting the inclusion of at least four teams. Kapoor confirmed that the council would explore this proposal. A cultural evening themed around cricket will follow the final match in Kanpur.
The six participating teams—Gorakhpur Lions, Kanpur Superstars, Kashi Rudras, Noida Super Kings, Lucknow Falcons and Meerut Mavericks—will feature star players such as Rinku Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dhruv Jurel, Piyush Chawla, Mohsin Khan, Sameer Rizvi, Swastik Chikara, Karan Sharma, Yash Dayal, Shivam Mani, Akash Singh, Priyam Garg and Zeeshan Ansari. The league aims to celebrate Uttar Pradesh’s cricketing talent while offering fans an engaging blend of sport and entertainment.
