Is UPCA Killing Local Talent By Allowing Rlys Players To Participate?

Much was expected when Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association launched the UPTwenty20 League in 2023 with the sole objective to spot talent, which could help Uttar Pradesh win white-ball domestic events like Syed Musthaq Ali Twenty20 Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy.

- Sharad Deep

LUCKNOW:

The event also allowed the scouts of all 10 franchises of the cash-rich Indian Premier League to pick talent for their respective teams, and the UPT20 League served this purpose well as many from Uttar Pradesh made it to the different teams and did well in the last two seasons.

But now it seems unlikely in the next season due to fewer opportunities for Uttar Pradesh players in their own league, as the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has allowed nine cricketers from Railways to participate in the UPT20 League, despite knowing that though they may perform well in the local league, cricketers from Railways are not going to be of any benefit to the Uttar Pradesh teams in the next domestic season.

The participation of Railways cricketers in the UPT20 League, which is expected to be played this August-September, will help only them grow as they will have a chance to be picked up by different IPL franchises and play for the Railways in white-ball events in the domestic cricket, but not for Uttar Pradesh.