The Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) has unveiled its seven Icon Players for the 2026 season ahead of the Players' Draft scheduled for 16 September 2026 in Dehradun. The announcement marks the beginning of the build-up to the tournament's third edition, with franchises set to construct their squads around these designated players.

The Seven Icon Players

The players named as Icons for UPL 2026 are Akash Madhwal, Jagadeesha Suchith, Kunal Chandela, Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal, and Mayank Mishra. The list combines seasoned domestic and T20 campaigners with younger talent drawn from Uttarakhand's cricketing ranks.

Madhwal, who has represented Uttarakhand and made an impression at the highest domestic and franchise level, brings considerable experience to the competition. Suchith adds extensive T20 expertise, while Chandela has been a consistent performer in Uttarakhand cricket. The inclusion of Sudha, Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Mishra signals the league's continued emphasis on nurturing the state's emerging generation of cricketers.

What Officials Said

Kiran Verma, Secretary of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said the league 'has grown significantly over the first two seasons and has become an important platform for players from the state.' He added that the Icon Player announcement 'adds further excitement and experience to the competition' and expressed confidence that the Draft would offer talented cricketers a chance to earn wider recognition.

Mahim Verma, Former Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Former Secretary of the CAU, described the third season as arriving 'at an exciting time,' noting that the Icon Players would 'bring valuable experience and inspiration for young cricketers.'

Sunil Joshi, Chairperson of the Uttarakhand Premier League, underlined the league's founding intent: 'Our objective has always been to create a platform where local talent can compete, learn and perform alongside experienced players.'

Navneet Mishra, COO of UPL 2026, said the announcement 'marks the beginning of an exciting phase leading into the Players' Draft,' with the organisers working to make the edition 'bigger and more competitive while keeping the development of Uttarakhand's cricketing talent at the heart of the tournament.'

Draft Day and What It Means for Franchises

With the Icon Players confirmed, franchises will anchor their 16 September Draft strategies around these seven names, using the remaining picks to identify supporting talent from across the state. The UPL has, across its first two seasons, emerged as a meaningful domestic T20 platform that has funnelled local players toward broader recognition. The third edition, with its blend of established names and local youth, is expected to raise the competitive bar further.

Significance for Uttarakhand Cricket

Uttarakhand remains among India's newer first-class cricketing states, and franchise leagues like the UPL serve as critical stepping stones for players who may not yet feature regularly in national selection conversations. The presence of a player of Madhwal's profile — who has featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) — as an Icon Player adds marquee value and raises the standard that younger players must aspire to match. All eyes now turn to Dehradun on 16 September as teams finalise their rosters.