"It is a great opportunity for young players": Lucknow Falcons skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar on UPT20 League
Lucknow, August 9
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar believes the Uttar Pradesh T20 League provides a major platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and earn opportunities in the IPL and eventually the Indian team.
The 36-year-old pacer, who is set to captain Lucknow Falcons in the fourth season of the UP T20 League, highlighted how the tournament has already helped youngsters make the jump to the IPL.
"It is a great opportunity for young players. If you look back, young players who came from nowhere have succeeded before. Our own team provides the best examples; players like Abhinandan and Vipraj were picked by the team, performed well, and were subsequently selected for the IPL. So, I think it is a massive opportunity for everyone; if they possess talent, they can get picked for the IPL or the Indian team."
The fourth season of the UP T20 League will begin on August 14, with defending champions Kashi Rudras taking on Meerut Mavericks in the opening match at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Bhuvneshwar will lead Lucknow Falcons after a stellar IPL 2026 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he played a key role in their title-winning campaign and finished with 28 wickets.
Bhuvneshwar will now look to guide Lucknow Falcons to their maiden UP T20 League title as the tournament expands to two venues for the first time.
The 24-day competition will feature 34 matches, with the opening phase being played in Lucknow before the action moves to Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
Ekana Cricket Stadium will host 22 matches over 13 matchdays, while Kanpur will stage the remaining 12 games, including the entire knockout phase.
The Qualifier 1 and Eliminator will be played on September 3, followed by Qualifier 2 on September 4. The final is scheduled for September 6 in Kanpur.
The opening weekend will see Noida Kings face Kanpur Superstars and Lucknow Falcons take on Gaur Gorakhpur Lions on August 15. Kashi Rudras will then face Kanpur Superstars on August 16, while Meerut Mavericks will meet Gaur Gorakhpur Lions later that day.
The tournament will also feature several double-header days as the organisers seek to provide a bigger platform for Uttar Pradesh's emerging domestic talent.
With matches being held across Lucknow and Kanpur, the fourth season is expected to offer another opportunity for young players to make an impression in front of selectors and IPL franchises.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's wonderful to see domestic leagues getting this much attention. The pathway from state-level cricket to IPL is so crucial for player development. Bhuvneshwar's experience will be invaluable for the young players in the Falcons squad. Looking forward to following the tournament!
UP T20 League has genuinely become a stepping stone for our local boys. Earlier, talented players from smaller towns had no exposure; now they get to play with and learn from someone like Bhuvneshwar! The two-venue format with Kanpur hosting the knockouts is a smart move. Great time for UP cricket! 💪
Respect to Bhuvneshwar for his commitment. But honestly, I wish the BCCI and state associations did more to promote these leagues at the grassroots level. A 24-day tournament with 34 matches is good, but we should also focus on infrastructure in smaller cities. Still, it's a positive step forward. Hope the selectors genuinely watch these matches.
So proud of Bhuvi! From being a swing king in international cricket to mentoring the next generation - this is how legends give back. The fact that the final is in Kanpur (my hometown) makes it even more special. Can't wait for August 14! Let's go Falcons! 🦅
This is what Indian cricket needs more of - domestic leagues that actually connect with the IPL and national team. Bhuvi's own journey is an inspiration; he went from being a young UP bowler to a World Cup winner. Young players watching him now have
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