Kashi Rudras Set to Defend UPT20 Title Against Meerut Mavericks in Season Opener
Kashi Rudras Begin Title Defense
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India] - On August 14, the Kashi Rudras, champions of the UPT20 League twice, will kick off their title defense against the Meerut Mavericks at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
This opening match revives a classic rivalry, as these teams faced off in the previous season's final, where Kashi Rudras triumphed over Meerut Mavericks by eight wickets, securing their second UPT20 championship.
Last season, the Rudras dominated the league, winning seven out of ten matches, including a perfect start with six consecutive victories, and ultimately defeating the Mavericks in both Qualifier 1 and the final.
Captain Karan Sharma led the league in runs with 519, earning his second Orange Cap in UPT20 history. Atal Bihari Rai was among the top wicket-takers, claiming 20 wickets, while teammates Sunil Kumar and Kartik Yadav contributed significantly with 15 and 14 wickets, respectively.
This matchup features the only two teams to have ever won the UPT20 League. Kashi Rudras secured the inaugural title in 2023 and followed it up with another in 2025, while the Meerut Mavericks clinched the championship in 2024.
As they prepare for the new season, Kashi Rudras has revamped their squad after an 11-day pre-season training camp in Kanpur from August 1 to 11. This camp allowed players to bond and refine their roles ahead of the competition.
The UPT20 League is scheduled from August 14 to September 6, starting in Lucknow before moving to Kanpur for the latter stages, including the knockout rounds and the final.
Captain Karan Sharma expressed confidence in the team's cohesion, stating, “The camp was beneficial for us. We had the opportunity to connect and understand each other before focusing on our first match. It feels great to be part of a team where discussions began even before practice.”
Sharma added, “With the support of Kashi behind us, we aim to channel that energy into our opening game and perform at our best.”
Head coach Dhruv Singh emphasized the importance of their preparation, saying, “The camp was crucial for assessing players and enhancing their strengths. We have a well-balanced team, and starting strong is essential. While we know the Mavericks well, our focus will be on executing our strategies effectively.”
Retaining their core players, the Rudras made strategic additions during the player auction in Agra, with all-rounder Mohammad Sharim being the highest-priced signing at Rs 17.50 lakh. Other new additions include Vaibhav Choudhary, Vijay Yadav, Virat Jaiswal, Manav Sindhu, and Sahab Yuvraj Singh.
The upcoming match marks the beginning of a new chapter for both teams, with Kashi Rudras aiming to become the first team to defend their UPT20 title and secure a third championship.
Kashi Rudras full squad for UPT20 Season 4:
Karan Sharma (Captain), Abhishek Goswami, Upendra Yadav, Atal Bihari Rai, Shubham Chaubey, Kartik Yadav, Sunil Kumar, Saksham Rai, Uvais Ahmad, Rishabh Rajput, Deepanshu Yadav, Arnav Baliyan, Mohammad Sharim, Vaibhav Choudhary, Vijay Yadav, Virat Jaiswal, Manav Sindhu, Sahab Yuvraj Singh, Deepanshu Singh, Mohammad Usman, Siddharth Jain, Sangam Singh, Ghanshyam Upadhyay, Kavya Tewatia.
Kashi Rudras UPT20 Season 4 fixtures:
Match 1 – Fri, Aug 14 – Kashi Rudras vs Meerut Mavericks – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Match 4 – Sun, Aug 16 – Kashi Rudras vs Kanpur Superstars – 3:00 pm IST – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Match 7 – Tue, Aug 18 – Gorakhpur Lions vs Kashi Rudras – 7:30 pm IST – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Match 10 – Thu, Aug 20 – Kanpur Superstars vs Kashi Rudras – 7:30 pm IST – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Match 13 – Sat, Aug 22 – Kashi Rudras vs Gorakhpur Lions – 3:00 pm IST – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Match 17 – Mon, Aug 24 – Kashi Rudras vs Lucknow Falcons – 3:00 pm IST – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Match 23 – Fri, Aug 28 – Kashi Rudras vs Noida Kings – Green Park Stadium
Match 29 – Tue, Sep 1 – Meerut Mavericks vs Kashi Rudras – Green Park Stadium.