The third edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL 2026) got underway at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, on Monday, 21 September, with the women's competition kicking off the tournament with a double-header. Dehradun Warriors and Mussoorie Queens both returned with opening-day victories, setting an early marker in the state's premier T20 competition.

Dehradun Warriors Cruise Past Pithoragarh Hurricanes

In the tournament's first match, Dehradun Warriors won the toss and elected to field against Pithoragarh Hurricanes. The Hurricanes were pegged back early and eventually posted 84/7 in their allotted 20 overs. The standout performer with the ball was Minakshi Joshi, who claimed three wickets to restrict the opposition to a below-par total.

Chasing 85, Dehradun Warriors made short work of the target, crossing the line at 85/3 in just 14.1 overs. Minakshi Joshi was named Player of the Match for her all-round contribution — a statement performance to open the UPL campaign.

Mussoorie Queens Win via DLS as Rain Intervenes

The second fixture of the day produced a more dramatic finish. Mussoorie Queens won the toss and chose to bowl, with Bageshwar Aerial responding by posting a competitive 108/6 in 20 overs. Rain then interrupted Mussoorie Queens' chase, with the team placed at 62/1 after nine overs, at which point the DLS method was applied and Mussoorie Queens were declared winners.

Roshni Danu was adjudged Player of the Match for her contribution to the successful run-chase. Mussoorie Queens captain Nandini Kashyap reflected on the tricky conditions: 'The pitch was not looking very good after the rain. The ball was staying low and there wasn't much movement. We saw a low score in the first innings and felt that chasing it would not be easy. But our approach was very clear. From the first innings, we noticed that most of their batters were playing across the line. So, my coach and I decided that we would play with a straight bat. We knew the ball would stay low, so we planned to play in the V. Aarti executed the plan really well and converted the opportunities into boundaries. We had a clear plan and we executed it properly.'

Opening Ceremony and Men's Competition on the Way

The cricketing action on opening day will be followed by a grand inauguration ceremony in the evening, headlined by Bollywood actress Vaani Kapoor, alongside performances celebrating Uttarakhand's diverse musical traditions. The women's competition continues on Tuesday with another double-header, while the men's leg of UPL 2026 also commences in the evening, with Haridwar Elmas taking on Nainital Tigers at 7:30 PM.

Tournament Format and Schedule

The women's competition features four teams — Mussoorie Queens, Bageshwar Aerial, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, and Dehradun Warriors — while the men's draw comprises seven teams. The tournament runs through to 1 October, with the men's UPL 2026 Final scheduled on the last day. The UPL continues to grow as one of India's more compelling state-level T20 franchises, offering a platform for emerging talent from the hill state.