Lucknow, With the fourth edition of the UPT20 League just around the corner, Gaur Gorakhpur Lions owner Vishesh Gaur has expressed confidence in his team’s preparations, saying the franchise has assembled a balanced squad capable of competing for the title. He also highlighted the league’s growing impact on nurturing young cricketers by allowing them to share the dressing room with experienced IPL and India stars.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Gaur said the Gorakhpur Lions were pleased with the outcome of the player auction and believed the team had successfully filled all key positions.
“We are pretty happy with the squad. We managed to get most of the players we wanted and have built a balanced team. We are satisfied with the combination,” he said.
The franchise has appointed Aryan Juyal as captain for the upcoming season, with Shivam Sharma serving as vice-captain. Former India pacer Ankit Rajpoot has joined the team as head coach.
“Aryan Juyal will lead the team this season, while Shivam Sharma will be the vice-captain. Ankit Rajpoot has joined us as the head coach, and we are confident in the leadership group we have assembled,” Gaur added.
One of the biggest signings for the Lions was opening batter Shivam Chaudhary, who was acquired for ₹21 lakh during the player auction. Gaur said strengthening the opening partnership was a priority after the retention process.
“We wanted to strengthen our opening batting. Shivam Chaudhary was our top choice. He is a quality opening batter, an experienced leader and someone who can provide stability at the top of the order,” he explained.
Gaur also praised the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) for consistently enhancing the UPT20 League and expanding its reach by staging matches across two cities this season.
“The league is growing every year, and UPCA deserves credit for constantly trying to take it to the next level. Hosting matches across two cities is a big step. It involves more effort and investment, but it will help the league reach more fans. Not many state leagues are doing this, and it shows UPCA’s commitment to making the tournament bigger,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and UPT20 League Governing Council Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, Gaur credited their vision for transforming the UPT20 League into an important platform for emerging cricketers in Uttar Pradesh.
“I would like to thank Rajeev Shukla sir and Dr. Sanjay Kapoor for their vision and continuous efforts in making the UPT20 League a success. The league has grown with every season and has become a wonderful platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent and progress to the next level,” he said.
According to Gaur, one of the league’s greatest strengths is the opportunity it provides youngsters to learn directly from seasoned professionals.
“Sharing the dressing room with players who have represented India or played in the IPL is a huge source of inspiration for youngsters. They get the chance to closely observe how experienced professionals prepare, train and handle pressure. It also gives them the confidence that they can achieve the same dream,” he said.
The opening ceremony and the first phase of the UPT20 League will be held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow before the tournament moves to Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, for the second phase, including the playoffs and the final.
Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator are scheduled for September 3, followed by Qualifier 2 on September 4, while the final and closing ceremony will take place on September 6 in Kanpur.
The 24-day tournament will feature 34 matches, including 13 double-headers and eight single-header matchdays, bringing together the best cricketing talent from Uttar Pradesh in a battle for the UPT20 League title.
