UPCA Speed Hunt unearths 38 pacers above 134 kmph for UPT20 League auction
Synopsis
The UPCA Speed Hunt has done what state cricket programmes rarely do — produce a verifiable, speed-tested pipeline. With 38 pacers above 134 kmph heading to auction and 18 UP players already in the IPL this year, the UPT20 League is quietly becoming one of domestic cricket's most effective talent conveyor belts.
Key Takeaways
38 fast bowlers consistently clocking over 134 kmph have earned auction spots in the UPT20 League through the UPCA Speed Hunt .
18 players from Uttar Pradesh featured in the IPL this year, many after breaking through via the UPT20 League.
The fourth edition of the UPT20 League begins on 14 August at Ekana Cricket Stadium , Lucknow, with Kashi Rudras vs Meerut Mavericks.
The 24-day, 34-match tournament spans Lucknow and Kanpur , with the final scheduled for 6 September in Kanpur.
BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said expansion beyond six teams will be considered once the Governing Council recommends it.
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association's (UPCA) Speed Hunt initiative has yielded a significant haul of fast-bowling talent, with 38 bowlers consistently clocking over 134 kmph earning places in the upcoming player auction for the UPT20 League's fourth edition, according to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla. Shukla made the announcement on Monday, 27 July, underscoring the league's growing role as a talent pipeline from India's most populous state to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speed Hunt: A State-Wide Talent Drive
The UPCA Speed Hunt, designed to scout raw pace talent from across Uttar Pradesh, has drawn widespread attention after its latest results. Shukla noted that the programme successfully identified fast bowlers from every corner of the state, with all 38 qualifiers meeting the 134 kmph threshold consistently. 'The UPCA Speed Hunt has also been a major success. We have identified fast bowlers from across the state, and this year 38 bowlers, all consistently clocking over 134 kmph, earned a place in the auction,' Shukla said. 'It shows that talented players from every corner of Uttar Pradesh now have a pathway to the UPT20 League and, eventually, to the IPL.'
UPT20 League's IPL Impact
Now in its fourth edition, the UPT20 League has established itself as a credible feeder competition for the IPL. This year alone, 18 players from Uttar Pradesh featured in the IPL — a figure Shukla cited as evidence of the league's growing influence. 'Many of them got their breakthrough after performing well in the UPT20 League. IPL scouts closely follow this tournament, making it an important platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and earn opportunities at the highest level,' he said. The tournament's ability to attract IPL scouts has transformed it from a regional competition into a genuine national launchpad.
Tournament Structure and Venues
The fourth edition is set to commence on 14 August at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, with the opening fixture between Kashi Rudras and Meerut Mavericks. The 24-day, 34-match tournament will span Lucknow and Kanpur, featuring 13 double-header matchdays. The initial leg will be hosted at Ekana Stadium before the competition shifts to Green Park Stadium in Kanpur for the second phase and knockout rounds. The player auction was notably held in Agra, a deliberate move to broaden cricket's footprint across the state.
Playoffs and Expansion Plans
The playoffs begin on 3 September with Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, followed by Qualifier 2 on 4 September, and the final in Kanpur on 6 September. On the question of expanding the current six-team format, Shukla indicated that structural stability takes precedence. 'The league has now become stable after three successful seasons. If the Governing Council recommends expanding beyond six teams in the future, the Apex Council will certainly consider it. Our focus has always been on building a strong and sustainable league before expanding further,' he said. Infrastructure development across the state, he added, remains central to any future expansion of venues and franchises.
Point of View
Metric-driven scouting programme rather than relying on selectors' discretion alone. The 134 kmph threshold gives it objectivity, but the real test is whether these pacers translate speed into wickets at the UPT20 level and beyond. With 18 UP players already in the IPL this season, the pipeline has proof of concept — but the risk is that the league becomes an IPL feeder at the expense of building Uttar Pradesh's Ranji Trophy core, a team that has historically punched below its demographic weight.
NationPress
27 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPCA Speed Hunt?
The UPCA Speed Hunt is a state-wide fast-bowling talent identification initiative run by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). In its latest edition, it identified 38 bowlers from across Uttar Pradesh who consistently clock over 134 kmph, all of whom have earned spots in the UPT20 League player auction.
When does the UPT20 League fourth edition begin?
The fourth edition of the UPT20 League begins on 14 August at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, with the opening match between Kashi Rudras and Meerut Mavericks. The final is scheduled for 6 September in Kanpur.
How many Uttar Pradesh players featured in the IPL this year?
18 players from Uttar Pradesh featured in the IPL this year, according to BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla. Many of them earned their breakthrough by performing in the UPT20 League, which is closely monitored by IPL scouts.
Will the UPT20 League expand beyond six teams?
Rajeev Shukla indicated that expansion is possible but not imminent. He said the Apex Council will consider adding more franchises if the Governing Council recommends it, with the current priority being structural stability after three successful seasons.
Where will the UPT20 League matches be played?
The 34-match tournament will be played across Lucknow and Kanpur over 24 days. The first leg is at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, before the competition moves to Green Park Stadium in Kanpur for the second phase and knockouts.
