The rise of women’s cricket in India has been nothing short of remarkable, with the Women’s Premier League (WPL) leading the charge. Building on this momentum, the inaugural Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) is set to take the stage as another significant milestone. Recently announced by the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), this tournament will feature three competitive teams, bringing the best of the state’s talent to the forefront.
Scheduled to be held from September 15th to September 22nd at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, the UPL promises to be a thrilling spectacle. SSPARK Sports and Entertainment, an experienced organizer, has been entrusted with managing this historic event, ensuring that it runs smoothly and delivers high-quality cricket.
The CAU envisions the UPL as a vital platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills. For the budding domestic players, this tournament offers a unique learning opportunity to play alongside and against seasoned internationals. To ensure this, the state board has implemented a rule allowing only one marquee player per team, chosen from a draft that will take place on September 1st.
Three marquee players have been announced for the tournament: Ekta Bisht, Punam Raut, and Mansi Joshi. The 38-year-old veteran, Ekta Bisht brings a wealth of experience, having represented India in 42 T20Is and taken 53 wickets at an exceptional average of 14.71. Her best bowling figures of 4 for 21 came against England, and she was also a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the WPL.
Punam Raut, a seasoned campaigner with a T20I career spanning from June 2009 to April 2014, will add depth to the lineup. During her tenure for India, she played 35 matches and scored 719 runs, with a highest score of 75 against the 2018 Asia Cup Champions, Bangladesh. Mansi Joshi, another experienced cricketer, who has represented India in T20Is and was a part of the Gujarat Giants in the WPL will be a valuable asset to any team.
Expressing his excitement about the UPL, Mahim Verma, Secretary of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand, said, “We are delighted with the response we have received from various stakeholders since the idea of conducting the Uttarakhand Premier League came about.”
Verma continued, “We are proud and extremely excited to be introducing Uttarakhand’s first-ever premier T20 competition that will introduce fans and players to an atmosphere which the Indian Premier League is known for. It’s an atmosphere that helps in the accelerated development of young players, and at the same time, provides the fans with the chance to enjoy entertaining cricket with their loved ones.”
The UPL not only promises to be a stepping stone for young players but also a festival of cricket for fans, bringing the excitement of top-tier T20 cricket to the heart of Uttarakhand.