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Uttarakhand Premier League 2024: Player Draft Concludes, Squads Announced for Inaugural Season
The much-anticipated inaugural edition of the Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL), the state’s premier T20 cricket competition organized by the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand, is set to begin this September. The tournament will feature five men’s teams and three women’s teams, with all matches to be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun. The UPL aims to provide a platform for emerging cricketers from Uttarakhand to showcase their talent alongside seasoned players who have represented India and various IPL franchises.
The Player Draft for UPL 2024 took place in Dehradun, where franchises finalized their squads in an electrifying atmosphere. The draft was a landmark event for Uttarakhand cricket, as each team secured top talent, including experienced players who have made their mark in domestic cricket and beyond. The selection of icon players was the highlight of the event, with several notable cricketers being named captains and marquee players for their respective teams.
Men’s Teams and Icon Players
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Pithoragarh Hurricanes: The Hurricanes have named Akash Madhwal as their captain and icon player. Madhwal, a standout performer in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, is known for his exceptional pace and control. His leadership, combined with his success in tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, will be crucial for the Hurricanes’ campaign.
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USN Indians: Kunal Chandela has been appointed as the captain and icon player for the USN Indians. Chandela, a key figure for Uttarakhand in the Ranji Trophy, brings experience and a steady hand to the top order. His leadership experience will be vital for the Indians as they aim to make a strong impression in the inaugural UPL season.
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Dehradun Warriors: Aditya Tare, a veteran of the IPL with Mumbai Indians, has been selected as the captain and icon player for the Dehradun Warriors. Tare’s extensive experience behind the stumps and his ability to guide a team with his cricketing acumen will be central to the Warriors’ strategy.
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Haridwar Spring Elmas: Samarth Ravikumar will lead the Haridwar Spring Elmas as captain and icon player. Known for his consistency in the Ranji Trophy, Ravikumar is a reliable middle-order batsman who will play a pivotal role in anchoring the team’s innings.
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Nainital SG Pipers: Rajan Kumar has been chosen as the captain and icon player for the Nainital SG Pipers. Kumar, an all-rounder who has delivered consistent performances for Uttarakhand, will be a key figure for the Pipers with both bat and ball.
Women’s Teams and Icon Players
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Nainital SG Pipers: The Pipers have selected Ekta Bisht, a veteran international cricketer, as their captain and icon player. Bisht, who made history as the first cricketer from Uttarakhand to represent India, brings a wealth of experience to the team. Her accurate left-arm spin and vast experience on the international stage will be invaluable for the Pipers.
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Pithoragarh Hurricane: Neelam Bisht will captain the Pithoragarh Hurricane. A consistent performer in domestic cricket, Neelam’s all-round abilities make her a vital asset to the team. Her leadership and cricketing knowledge will be essential for the Hurricanes’ success.
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Mussoorie Thunders: Mansi Joshi has been named the captain and icon player for the Mussoorie Thunders. Joshi, who has represented India, is known for her pace and ability to swing the ball. Her international experience and leadership qualities will be key to the Thunders’ performance.
Teams and Squads Finalized for UPL 2024
The Player Draft concluded with each team finalizing a balanced squad, blending youthful energy with experienced leadership. The rosters include promising young talent as well as seasoned campaigners eager to make their mark in the inaugural season of the UPL.
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Pithoragarh Hurricanes: Akash Madhwal (Captain & Icon), Vijay Sharma, Rohit Dangwal, Sunny Kashyap, Neeraj Rathour, Ashish Joshi, Vishal Kashyap, Parmender Chadda, Aryan Choudhary, Hitesh Naula, Aditya Naithani, Anmol Shah, Harsh Vikram Singh, Shivam Gupta, Shashank Wadhwa, Nikhil Harsh.
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USN Indians: Kunal Chandela (Captain & Icon), Yuvraj Chouadhary, Aryan Sharma, Akhil Singh Rawat, Devendra Bora, Agrim Tiwari, Prashant Chauhan, Aarav Mahajan, Manish Gaur, Anay Basant Chhetri, Shashank Shekhar Pant, Rahul Negi, Abhinav Sharma, Ajay Dimri, Abhishek Roshan, Tejender Singh.
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Dehradun Warriors: Aditya Tare (Captain & Icon), Dikshanshu Negi, Himashu Bisht, Abhay Negi, Vaibhav Bhatt, Satyam Baaliyan, Harjeet Singh, Sanskar Rawat, Sagar Rawat, Rakshit Rohi, Poorvansh Dhruv, Ashar Khan, Mohit Kumar, AanjaniyaSuryavansh, Deepak Kumar, Anshul Singh.
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Haridwar Spring Elmas: Samarth Ravikumar (Captain & Icon), Girish Raturi, Saurabh Rawat, Prashant Kumar Bhati, Harman Singh, Saurav Chauhan, Shashwat Dangwal, Pramod Rawat, Sparsh Joshi, Kunal Veer Singh, Rajya Vardhan Singh, Aditya Rawat, Krishna Garg, Himanshu Sony, Prajiwal Rawat, Daksh Awana.
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Nainital SG Pipers: Rajan Kumar (Captain & Icon), Avneesh Sudha, Mayank Mishra, Aditya Sethi, Prateek Pandey, Priyanshu Khanduri, Nikhil Pundir, Harsh Rana, Kartik Bhatt, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Abhyuday Bhatnagar, Arush Melkani, Aniket S Rahal, Naveen Kumar Singh, Sachin Bhati, Devansh Sharma.
UPL 2024 – Women’s Squads:
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Nainital SG Pipers: Ekta Bisht (Captain & Icon), Kanchan Parihar, Megha Saini, Sweta Verma, Amisha Bahukhandi, Gunjan Bhandari, Radha Chand, Kanak Tapraniya, Vaishali Tulera, Dipika Chand, Pramila Rawat, Tanya Kanaujiya, Manisha Kunwar, KM Aarti, Priya.
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Pithoragarh Hurricane: Neelam Bisht (Captain & Icon), Raghavi Bisht, Neelam Bharadwaj, Safina, Jyoti Giri, Anjali Kathait, Preeti Bhandari, Muskan Kumari, Karuna Shety, Ankita Shah, Bhoomi Umar, Yashika Baunthiyal, Ananya Mehra, Nandina Kaushik, Ritika Chauhan.
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Mussoorie Thunders: Mansi Joshi (Captain & Icon), Sarika Koli, Prema Rawat, Anjali Goswami, Nandini Kashyap, Reena Jindal, Divya Bohra, Shagun Chaudhary, Sakshi Joshi, Gaytri Arya, Nandini Sharma, Rudra Sharma, Neha Mehta, Garima Bisht, Sona Badola.
Excitement Builds for UPL 2024
With the squads now finalized, the countdown to the inaugural season of the Uttarakhand Premier League has officially begun. The tournament, set to commence on September 15, 2024, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun, promises thrilling cricket action as players from across the state compete to make their mark. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament, which is set to become a pivotal event in Uttarakhand’s cricketing calendar.
As the teams gear up for the competition, the Uttarakhand Premier League is poised to become a platform for aspiring cricketers to shine and establish themselves in the larger cricketing ecosystem. With a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, the stage is set for an exciting and memorable season of cricket in Uttarakhand.
