MPL 2026: Rajat Patidar leads Gwalior Cheetahs vs Ujjain Falcons in opener
Synopsis
Fresh off back-to-back IPL titles with RCB, Rajat Patidar swaps Bengaluru for Gwalior — chasing a maiden MPL crown on home soil. The Scindia Cup 2026 opens Wednesday at Holkar Stadium with Ujjain Falcons, led by Delhi Capitals' Madhav Tiwari, making their tournament debut.
Key Takeaways
Rajat Patidar returns to captain Gwalior Cheetahs in MPL T20 Scindia Cup 2026 after winning back-to-back IPL titles with RCB .
The opener is on Wednesday at the Holkar Stadium , Indore , against debutants Ujjain Falcons .
Gwalior reached the 2025 semifinal; Mangesh Yadav was the season's top wicket-taker with 14 wickets .
Head coach Aditya Srivastava led Madhya Pradesh to its first Ranji Trophy in 2022 , ending a 69-year wait.
Ujjain Falcons are led by all-rounder Madhav Tiwari , fresh from an IPL stint with Delhi Capitals .
Rajat Patidar, fresh off steering Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to back-to-back IPL titles, returns home to captain Gwalior Cheetahs in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026, which opens on Wednesday against Ujjain Falcons at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The right-hander leads a side eyeing its maiden title after a semifinal exit in 2025.
Patidar's homecoming
One of the most accomplished cricketers to emerge from Madhya Pradesh in recent years, Patidar has built his career through a steady rise across domestic and franchise cricket. From a pivotal role in Madhya Pradesh's historic Ranji Trophy triumph to becoming a captain on the IPL stage, he now returns to familiar surroundings with the ambition of delivering Gwalior Cheetahs their first MPL crown.
Squad strength and coaching
Gwalior enters the new season with a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent. Mangesh Yadav, the leading wicket-taker of the 2025 edition with 14 wickets, headlines the bowling unit. The side continues under head coach Aditya Srivastava, who captained Madhya Pradesh to its first Ranji Trophy title in 2022, ending a 69-year wait.
What the captain said
Speaking ahead of the campaign, Patidar said, ‘It's always a special feeling to come back and play in Madhya Pradesh. The last couple of months have been memorable, but every new tournament brings fresh challenges and fresh motivation. The MPL has become an important platform for cricket in the state, and I'm excited to once again represent the Gwalior Cheetahs. We have a talented squad, a strong support staff, and a group that's hungry to succeed. Our focus is on playing positive cricket and giving ourselves the best chance to bring the trophy home.'
Ujjain Falcons: the debutants
Making their MPL debut, Ujjain Falcons will be led by young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, who arrives off an impressive IPL season with Delhi Capitals where his pace bowling and lower-order hitting drew attention. The squad also features Aryan Pandey, Yash Dubey, Chanchal Rathore, and Soham Patwardhan, making them one of the more intriguing line-ups in the tournament.
What's next
Former Madhya Pradesh cricketer Sunil Dholpure, with 17 First-Class and 21 List A appearances, will coach the Falcons. With Patidar's IPL-winning credentials and a competitive debutant unit on the other side, the opener at the Holkar Stadium sets the tone for what promises to be a closely contested 2026 season.
Point of View
His presence raises both the cricketing bar and the commercial pull of the MPL. The real test is whether franchise leagues like the MPL can convert star captains into sustained pathways for local talent, rather than one-season showcases. For Gwalior, the squad depth suggests intent; the maiden-title narrative writes itself if execution holds.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the MPL 2026 opener between Gwalior Cheetahs and Ujjain Falcons?
The opening match of the Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia Cup 2026 is on Wednesday at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Gwalior Cheetahs, led by Rajat Patidar, face debutants Ujjain Falcons.
Why is Rajat Patidar leading Gwalior Cheetahs in MPL 2026?
Patidar, who recently led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to back-to-back IPL titles, is from Madhya Pradesh and has captained Gwalior Cheetahs in the MPL previously. He is targeting the franchise's first MPL crown after a semifinal finish in 2025.
Who leads the Ujjain Falcons in their MPL debut?
Ujjain Falcons are captained by young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari, who is coming off an impressive IPL season with Delhi Capitals. The side is coached by former Madhya Pradesh cricketer Sunil Dholpure.
Who are the key players to watch in Gwalior Cheetahs' 2026 campaign?
Beyond captain Rajat Patidar, pacer Mangesh Yadav — the leading wicket-taker of the 2025 edition with 14 wickets — is central to the team. Head coach Aditya Srivastava, who captained Madhya Pradesh to its 2022 Ranji Trophy title, continues to lead the support staff.
