Kartik Siddhu and Impact Player Bobby Yadav combined for an unbroken 78-run partnership to pull off a stunning comeback, steering the Noida Kings to a three-wicket victory over the Kanpur Superstars in Match 2 of the UP T20 League Season 4 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 15 August 2026. With Noida tottering at 57/7 chasing 135, the duo sealed the win with just two deliveries to spare.

Kanpur's Collapse and Recovery

Noida Kings skipper Madhav Kaushik won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision his attack vindicated swiftly. The Kanpur Superstars found themselves in deep trouble at 74/7 inside 13 overs, their top order unable to build any meaningful partnership.

Left-arm spinner Shiva Singh was the chief wrecker, returning exceptional figures of 3/18. Pacer Kunal Tyagi backed him up with 3/28, while Siddhu contributed a crucial wicket. Despite the collapse, lower-middle order pair Yashovardhan Singh (28 off 21 balls) and Shubham Mishra (29 off 24 balls) stitched a vital 59-run stand off 43 deliveries to lift Kanpur to a fighting 134/8 in 20 overs.

Noida's Batting Implosion

Chasing a modest target of 135, the Kings' batting order unravelled against a disciplined Kanpur attack. Shubham Mishra proved equally damaging with the ball, conceding just 10 runs across four overs while claiming two wickets. Experienced spinner Karn Sharma (2/39) and pacer Ajay Kumar (2/31) compounded the damage, leaving Noida staring at defeat at 57/7 in the 12th over.

The Match-Winning Partnership

The introduction of Bobby Yadav as an Impact Player proved the turning point. Alongside Siddhu, Yadav rebuilt patiently before shifting gears in the death overs. With 37 runs required off the final 18 deliveries, the pair targeted Ajay Kumar, plundering 17 runs in the 18th over to reduce the equation to 20 off 12 balls.

Vineet Panwar bowled a superb penultimate over, conceding just six runs to finish with figures of 1/24, leaving Noida needing 14 off the final over. Entrusted with the last over, Shakti Verma was immediately put under pressure as Yadav struck back-to-back boundaries off the first two deliveries. With four runs needed off three balls, Yadav ended it in style — lofting a boundary over extra cover to complete a memorable heist.

Yadav finished unbeaten on 44 off 28 balls, while Siddhu remained 34 not out off 21 balls.

Siddhu Dedicates Award to His Mother

Named Player of the Match for his vital knock and one wicket, an emotional Kartik Siddhu dedicated the award to his mother. 'I would like to dedicate this award to my mother,' he said.

Reflecting on the chase, Siddhu explained the partnership's blueprint: 'The conditions were helping the bowlers a bit, but we knew that if we took the game deep, we'd eventually get our chances. And that's exactly how it unfolded. The plan was simple: put the bad balls away and avoid trying to hit too hard every over.'

Siddhu also credited the team's support staff for their tactical guidance during the tense chase. 'The support staff continuously guided us. The coach was sending plans through the 12th or 15th man, and it is great that the execution worked out. I would really like to thank our support staff and the coach for explaining the game plan to me so well,' he added.

The result gives Noida Kings an early confidence boost in UP T20 League Season 4, while Kanpur Superstars will look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.