Uttar Pradesh T20 League finalizes squads, underscoring pathway to IPL

The fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UPT20) concluded its player auction, with all six franchises completing their squads for the 2026 season. The biggest purchase was veteran bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, signed by the Lucknow Falcons for ₹30.25 lakh. Teams spent the bulk of their salary caps, leaving modest balances.

BCCI Vice‑President Rajeev Shukla praised the league as a key platform for young Uttar Pradesh cricketers, noting that 18 players from the state featured in the IPL this year. He highlighted the UPCA Speed Hunt that identified 38 fast bowlers clocking over 134 km/h, many of whom entered the auction. Shukla also hinted at possible future expansion beyond the current six teams and emphasized the league’s role in developing cricket infrastructure, citing the recent auction held in Agra.