Healthy competition is motivating youngsters: Kanpur Superstars owner Ayush Lalwani ahead of UPT20 League Season 4, 2026

Kanpur, August 6: With the 4th season of the UP T20 League set to begin on August 14, the Kanpur Superstars have expressed confidence in their preparations and squad composition as they aim to lift their maiden title. The franchise will start its campaign against Noida Kings on August 15 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

The 24-day tournament will later move to Kanpur, where the iconic Green Park Stadium will host the 2nd phase of the competition from August 28, including the playoffs and the grand finale on September 6, 2026.

Following a successful player auction, Kanpur Superstars owner Ayush Lalwani ji said the franchise had achieved its objective of assembling a balanced and competitive squad.

“We are very happy with the way the auction went. Our goal was to build a balanced team by strengthening every department, and I believe we have achieved that. We have quality batters, bowlers and all-rounders, and we are pleased with the squad we have assembled,” Lalwani said.

The franchise has retained a strong core while adding experienced campaigners and exciting young talent. Explosive batter Sameer Rizvi will lead the batting unit, while left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan is expected to spearhead the bowling attack. The addition of Karn Sharma and India Under-19 captain Mohammed Amaan has further strengthened the squad.

Lalwani believes the experience of senior players will be invaluable in guiding the younger members of the team. “We are delighted to have experienced cricketers like Karn Sharma and Mohammed Amaan in our squad. Amaan has captained the India Under-19 team, and both players bring leadership and valuable experience. They will play an important role in mentoring the younger players and building a strong team culture,” he said. The Kanpur Superstars owner also praised the UPCA Speed Hunt, describing it as a significant initiative for identifying and nurturing talented fast bowlers from across Uttar Pradesh.

“The UPCA Speed Hunt provides raw and talented cricketers with an opportunity to showcase their abilities. The UP T20 League offers them the perfect stage to perform, and from here they can dream of reaching the IPL and eventually representing India. Such initiatives are extremely important for the future of cricket in the state,” he added. Speaking about the growing importance of state-based T20 leagues, Lalwani said these tournaments are creating healthy competition and motivating young cricketers to raise their standards. “The growth of state leagues has created healthy competition among players. Opportunities in the IPL and the Indian team are limited, so these tournaments encourage youngsters to improve consistently. Every player knows that one outstanding season can open bigger doors, and that is what makes leagues like the UP T20 so valuable,” he said. As the team enters its final phase of preparations, Lalwani emphasized the importance of discipline and commitment. “The most important qualities I expect from my players are focus, discipline and commitment. If every player gives his hundred percent and plays for the team, the results will follow,” he concluded.

UPCA has announced that the fourth edition of the UP T20 League will commence on August 14 at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, with the grand final scheduled for September 6 at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. Designed to provide a high-quality platform for emerging cricketers, the tournament aims to deliver an IPL-style experience for players and fans alike.

Kanpur Superstars Team so far:

Sameer Rizvi, Mohsin Khan, Karn Sharma, Adarsh Singh, Aaqib Khan, Vineet Panwar, Shubham Mishra, Mohammed Amaan, Pankaj Kumar, Shivam Bansal, Ajay Kumar, Yashovardhan Singh, Inzamam Hussain, Priyanshu Pandey, Satyam Sangu, Arjun Kumar Singh, Saubhagya Mishra and Shakti Verma.