Yuvraj Singh's 91 powers Kashi Rudras to seven-run win over Kanpur Superstars
Synopsis
Defending champions Kashi Rudras were staring at a batting collapse at 46 for 4 before Sahab Yuvraj Singh's 91 off 56 balls — seven fours, five sixes — rebuilt the innings. Two late run-outs by Atal Bihari Rai in the final over then denied Kanpur a dramatic heist, sealing a seven-run win that underlines Kashi Rudras' championship pedigree.
Key Takeaways
Sahab Yuvraj Singh scored 91 off 56 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes) to rescue Kashi Rudras from 46 for 4 .
Kashi Rudras posted 167 for 6 ; Arnav Baliyan contributed an unbeaten 29 off 12 balls late in the innings.
Kanpur Superstars collapsed from 73 for 1 to 90 for 5 in the 12th over , losing the match by seven runs .
Satyam Sangu top-scored for Kanpur with 40 off 22 balls before being dismissed by Sunil Kumar .
Atal Bihari Rai sealed the win with two run-outs in the final over, bundling Kanpur out for 160 .
Yuvraj was named Player of the Match for his match-turning knock.
Sahab Yuvraj Singh delivered a match-saving 91 off 56 balls as defending champions Kashi Rudras held their nerve to defeat Kanpur Superstars by seven runs in UP T20 League Season 4 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 21 August. The result keeps Kashi Rudras firmly in contention as title holders looking to defend their crown.
Yuvraj Rescues Rudras From Early Collapse
Put into bat after Kanpur Superstars won the toss, Kashi Rudras found themselves in early trouble, slipping to 46 for 4 inside the first eight overs. It was Yuvraj who steadied the innings, anchoring a vital 64-run fifth-wicket stand alongside Shubham Chaubey to drag the side out of crisis.
Yuvraj's knock — laced with seven boundaries and five sixes — was a blend of composure and authority before he departed for 91. A late assault from Arnav Baliyan, who struck an unbeaten 29 off 12 balls, lifted Kashi Rudras to a competitive 167 for 6 in their 20 overs.
Kanpur's Chase Falls Apart in the Middle Overs
Chasing 168, Kanpur Superstars began briskly through Priyanshu Pandey, who cracked a quick 19 off 9 balls. Adarsh Singh and Abhishek Pandey then steadied the chase with a 49-run second-wicket stand, taking the score to 73 for 1.
The match turned decisively within a span of six deliveries, as both set batters fell in quick succession. Mohammad Amaan and captain Sameer Rizvi also departed cheaply, triggering a collapse from 73 for 1 to 90 for 5 by the end of the 12th over.
Sunil Kumar and Atal Bihari Rai Seal the Deal
A recovery attempt by Karn Sharma and Satyam Sangu briefly threatened Kashi Rudras, bringing the equation down to 28 runs off 18 balls. However, Sunil Kumar returned to remove the dangerous Karn and then, in the penultimate over, dismissed Satyam Sangu for a well-made 40 off 22 balls with 19 runs still required off the final two overs.
Defending 14 runs in the last over, Atal Bihari Rai produced a nerves-of-steel finish — engineering a run-out on the first ball and another on the fourth delivery to bundle Kanpur out for 160 and seal a dramatic seven-run victory for the Rudras.
Ceremony and Officials Mark the Occasion
The fixture was officially inaugurated by retired High Court Justice Ranganath Pandey, who performed the traditional bell-ringing ceremony. Among the dignitaries present were UP T20 League Governing Council Chairman Sanjay Kapoor, UPCA Media Committee Chairman Mohammad Faheem, Governing Council Member Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Fatehpur District Cricket Association President Saifuddin, Sultanpur Cricket Association Secretary Asar, and Varanasi District Cricket Association Secretary Jamal Ahmed.
Yuvraj was named the Player of the Match for his pivotal first-innings knock. With this win, Kashi Rudras continue their bid to retain the UP T20 League title as the tournament progresses.
Point of View
But this match was really won and lost in the middle overs. Kanpur's collapse from 73 for 1 to 90 for 5 — losing four wickets inside six deliveries — exposed a familiar fragility in their batting depth. Kashi Rudras, as defending champions, showed the composure to execute in the final over under pressure, which is precisely the quality that separates title contenders from pretenders in franchise T20 cricket. Satyam Sangu's 40 off 22 suggested Kanpur have match-winners, but a team cannot afford to lose both openers and their captain cheaply in the same chase and expect to prevail.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the UP T20 League Season 4 match between Kashi Rudras and Kanpur Superstars?
Kashi Rudras won by seven runs, defending a total of 167 for 6 and restricting Kanpur Superstars to 160 in their 20 overs. The match was played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 21 August.
How did Sahab Yuvraj Singh perform in the match?
Sahab Yuvraj Singh scored 91 off 56 balls, hitting seven boundaries and five sixes. He anchored the Kashi Rudras innings after they had slipped to 46 for 4, and was named the Player of the Match.
How did Kashi Rudras win the match in the final over?
Atal Bihari Rai defended 14 runs in the last over, producing run-outs on the first and fourth deliveries to bundle Kanpur Superstars out for 160. The dramatic finish sealed a seven-run victory for the defending champions.
Who top-scored for Kanpur Superstars in the chase?
Satyam Sangu top-scored for Kanpur Superstars with 40 off 22 balls, including a six and two boundaries in one over that briefly brought the match back into contention. He was dismissed by Sunil Kumar in the penultimate over.
Where was the UP T20 League Season 4 match played?
The match was played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and was inaugurated by retired High Court Justice Ranganath Pandey with a traditional bell-ringing ceremony.
