UPT20 League eyes regional expansion as Yash Dayal returns to action
Uttar Pradesh pacer clears legal hurdles with NOC from UPCA, while two franchises submit retention lists ahead of the new season.
The Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UPT20) governing council is preparing to relocate its upcoming mini-auction from its traditional base in Lucknow, signalling a strategic push to broaden the tournament’s geographical footprint. Chairman Sanjay Kapoor confirmed that the event, scheduled for mid-July, is being evaluated for potential hosting in Agra or Noida. The decision hinges on logistical feasibility, particularly hotel availability, with Lucknow retained as the contingency venue if arrangements in the proposed new cities prove unworkable.
“We are looking at holding it in new cities such as Agra and Noida. We want to promote the league on a larger scale, which is why we are considering these venues,” Kapoor stated. The move represents a shift in administrative policy aimed at decentralising the league’s operations and increasing accessibility for stakeholders across the state.
Concurrently, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has formally cleared the path for the return of fast bowler Yash Dayal to competitive cricket. UPCA secretary Prem Manohar Gupta verified that Dayal has been issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for both domestic and league play. The clearance follows the settlement of all prior legal proceedings, resolving the administrative uncertainty that had kept the pacer out of action for over a year.
Dayal’s return is facilitated by his retention by the Gorakhpur Lions. He last featured in domestic cricket in late 2024, playing a List A match for Uttar Pradesh against Chhattisgarh in December and a first-class fixture against Haryana in October. Although retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the IPL 2025 season and having played against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad, Dayal remained unavailable for the UPT20 League during that period. He has since participated in the recently concluded Ghaziabad Premier League with the Ghaziabad Royals.
Administrative preparations for the new season are well underway, with two franchises having already submitted their retention lists to the governing council. In addition to the Gorakhpur Lions retaining Dayal alongside Aryan Juyal and Siddhartha Yadav, the Meerut Mavericks have secured the services of Rinku Singh, Kartik Tyagi, and Zeeshan Ansari. These developments mark the beginning of squad finalisation ahead of the mid-July auction window.
