The Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) will enter its third season with seven Icon Players announced ahead of the Players’ Draft, scheduled for September 16. Akash Madhwal, Jagadeesha Suchith, Kunal Chandela, Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Mishra have been named as the Icon Players for UPL 2026.
Meanwhile, young talents Avneesh Sudha, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Tejasvi Jaiswal and Mayank Mishra further underline the league’s emphasis on providing opportunities to the next generation of cricketers from Uttarakhand. “The Uttarakhand Premier League has grown significantly over the first two seasons and has become an important platform for players from the state. The announcement of the Icon Players ahead of the third season adds further excitement and experience to the competition. We are confident that the Players’ Draft will provide another opportunity for talented cricketers to earn recognition and take the next step in their careers. “The Uttarakhand Premier League is playing an important role in creating a strong cricketing ecosystem in the state. The third season comes at an exciting time, and the inclusion of these Icon Players will bring valuable experience and inspiration for young cricketers. With the league continuing to provide a competitive platform for players from the state, the third season is expected to offer another opportunity for emerging cricketers to gain exposure and establish themselves.
The third edition is set to be the final state-level T20 league before the IPL 2027 season, adding further significance to the tournament for players looking to make an impression ahead of the next domestic and franchise cricket cycle. The Players’ Draft on September 16 will be a crucial moment as teams begin shaping their squads for another competitive season,” said Verma.
Speaking ahead of the draft, Kiran Verma, Secretary of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said the league had grown considerably during its first two seasons and had become an important platform for players from the state. Mahim Verma, former Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former Secretary of the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU), said the tournament was contributing to the development of Uttarakhand’s cricketing ecosystem.
