Madhav Kaushik, one of the UP T20 League's most productive batters, has been appointed captain of Noida Kings for the tournament's fourth edition, which gets underway on 14 August 2026. The franchise is banking on Kaushik's track record — over 1,002 runs across three seasons — to mount a serious title challenge.

Why Kaushik Was the Natural Choice

Kaushik joins Noida Kings having previously led Meerut Mavericks, guiding them to the 2024 title and a 2025 final. His appointment gives the Kings a captain who has already navigated the pressures of knockout cricket in this competition. He moved to Noida Kings from Meerut Mavericks ahead of the current cycle.

Notably, Kaushik was part of the inaugural UP T20 League season in 2023, making him one of the few players with a continuous presence across all four editions — a rare blend of institutional knowledge and on-field impact.

The Numbers Behind the Appointment

Kaushik's output across the league's first three seasons underlines why the franchise turned to him. In 2023, he scored 350 runs; in 2024, he improved to 366 runs in 12 matches at an average of 61 and a strike rate of 146.99, finishing among the leading run-scorers. His 2025 campaign yielded 286 runs in 13 matches at an average of 31.78, highlighted by a blistering 95 off 31 balls — an innings that included 10 fours and 7 sixes at a strike rate of 306.45.

In aggregate, Kaushik has amassed 1,002 runs across the competition's first three editions, placing him among its most experienced and consistent performers.

First-Class Credentials Add Weight to the Captaincy

Beyond the T20 format, Kaushik has built a solid domestic red-ball record for Uttar Pradesh. Across 28 first-class matches, he has scored 1,441 runs in 41 innings at an average of 37.92, with 4 centuries and 5 fifties. His career-best of 185 not out, scored against Nagaland in the 2025-26 season, came during a Ranji Trophy campaign in which he finished as Uttar Pradesh's top run-getter — 351 runs in eight innings at an average of 50.14.

He was also selected for the India Under-23 squad for a five-match one-day series against Bangladesh Under-23 in 2019, alongside players who have since gone on to senior international careers, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Arshdeep Singh.

Tournament Format and Venues

The fourth edition of the UP T20 League runs from 14 August to 6 September 2026, featuring 34 matches over 24 days. Six franchises will compete, with games split between the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. Noida Kings will look to Kaushik's batting and leadership to deliver a deeper run than in previous campaigns.