What Teams and Prize Money Will Season 2 of the Uttarakhand Premier League Feature?

Dehradun, Sep 12 (NationPress) — The Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) alongside SSPARK Sports and Entertainment disclosed the teams participating in Season 2 of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL), set to commence on September 23 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun.

The UPL, building on its inaugural success, is back with increased excitement this year, featuring seven men’s teams and four women’s teams, all showcasing the cricketing passion of Uttarakhand. Last season saw five men’s and three women’s teams compete, with USN Indians (men’s) and Mussoorie Thunders (women’s) emerging as champions. This year’s competing teams include: Dehradun Warriors, Haridwar Spring Elmas, Nainital Tigers, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, Rishikesh Falcons, Tehri Titans, and USN Indians for the men’s competition, while the women’s teams are Haridwar Storm, Mussoorie Thunders, Pithoragarh Hurricanes, and Tehri Queens.

These teams, named after prominent districts and cities, encapsulate the rich diversity and enthusiasm of Uttarakhand, providing a professional avenue for players to showcase their talents and aspire for greater achievements.

To further motivate exceptional performances, the UPL maintains an impressive prize pool of nearly Rs 50 lakh, demonstrating its dedication to rewarding excellence on the field. The men’s champions will receive Rs 25 lakh, while the women’s champions will be granted Rs 7 lakh. Runners-up will be awarded Rs 12 lakh (men’s) and Rs 3 lakh (women’s). Individual excellence will also be acknowledged, with a Men’s Player of the Series award of Rs 1 lakh and a Women’s Player of the Series award of Rs 25,000. Each match will feature a Player of the Match award of Rs 10,000, ensuring a high standard of competition.

Kiran Rautela Verma, Secretary of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand, expressed, “It is a significant honor to be the first-ever female secretary of a state cricket association in India and to oversee the second season of UPL. This league is not just about cricket; it’s a platform where talent meets opportunity. The expansion of teams this season reflects our vision for inclusive growth in Uttarakhand cricket. With a robust schedule and attractive prize pool, we aim to nurture the game at both grassroots and professional levels.”

Rajeev Khanna, Founder of SSPARK Sports & Entertainment, stated, “The Uttarakhand Premier League is rapidly becoming one of the most thrilling state-level T20 competitions in India. The expanded format of Season 2, featuring 12 competitive teams and a solid prize structure, will provide more players with the chance to exhibit their talents while entertaining cricket enthusiasts in the region. We eagerly anticipate two weeks of competitive cricket and community celebration.”

The UPL Player Draft is scheduled for Saturday, where all seven men’s and four women’s teams will finalize their rosters. Icon players in the men’s category include Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Jagadeesha Suchith, Prashant Chopra, Bhupen Lalwani, Kunal Chandela, and Rajan Kumar, while the women’s category will feature Mansi Joshi, Neelam Bhardwaj, Sweta Verma, and Kanchan Parihar as Icon players.

Teams are expected to invest significantly in their marquee signings, with a fixed price of Rs 1.5 lakh for an Icon player. After selecting their Icon players, teams will assemble their squads from both capped and uncapped players.

With nearly 30 matches scheduled—including league stages, eliminators, and finals—fans can anticipate two weeks filled with thrilling cricket action in Dehradun as UPL continues to solidify its status within India’s domestic cricket framework.