UPT20 league 2026 opening ceremony: Jasmine Sandals, Shankar Mahadevan and Abhishek Sharma steal the show in Lucknow
UPT20 League 2026 Kicks Off in Lucknow with a Night of Music, Drones, and Cricket
Bharatmorningnews.com – The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium in Lucknow hosted the launch ceremony for the UPT20 League 2026 season, turning into a full-blown entertainment spectacle before the first ball was bowled. The evening blended high-energy music, patriotic performances, aerial drone formations, and fireworks into a single show that drew thousands of fans into the stands.
Aerial Spectacle Sets the Tone
Before any performer took the stage, the sky above the stadium became the canvas. A coordinated drone display projected the logos of every participating franchise alongside the Indian national flag and portraits of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla. Bursts of fireworks punctuated the sequence, lighting up the night in vivid colour.
Jasmine Sandals Ignites the Crowd
Dressed in shades of pink, Dhurandhar vocalist Jasmine Sandals launched her set with "Soniya," pairing vocal power with sharp choreography from the very first note. The energy escalated quickly as she moved into "Mainu Yar Na Mile Te Mar Jawan," prompting fans to sing along in unison. A Punjabi track, "Naine Ne Sharab Do Botolan," followed before the audience's anticipation peaked for the title song of Dhurandhar itself.
The encore stretched through a string of chartbusters — "Jaiye Sajna," "Tenu Shararat Sikhawan," "Main Aur Tu," and "Vaari Jawan" — each met with roaring approval. Rather than simply exiting, Jasmine walked the wings while continuing to sing and dance, acknowledging supporters on both sides. In a final gesture, she made her way toward an arena section and tossed her jewellery and accessories into the crowd, thanking fans for their energy.
Shankar Mahadevan and Sons Deliver a Patriotic Medley
The Mahadevan family — Shankar alongside sons Siddharth and Shivam — opened their segment with "Shiv Tandav," accompanied by a dance troupe whose rapid, synchronised movements electrified the arena instantly. The set then pivoted to the title track from the film Lakshya before shifting into "Zinda."
As the trio launched "Lehra Do," the stadium erupted: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath entered alongside Team India opener Abhishek Sharma and former cricketer Suresh Raina, who serves as UPT20's brand ambassador. The Mahadevans followed with a rapid-fire patriotic sequence — "Vande Matram," "Om Deva Deva," "Chak De India," "Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka," and the closing anthem "Sabse Aage Hongey Hindustani" — while the chief minister joined them on stage alongside other dignitaries.
Trophy Unveiling and Official Remarks
In front of state ministers, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla, UPT20 chairman Sanjay Kapoor, and assorted officials, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formally unveiled the tournament trophy. He also performed the coin-toss ritual for the opening fixture, telling players that the league is doing exceptional work in scouting fresh talent from across Uttar Pradesh.
"This is UP's cricketing Utsav and for the first time the tournament is being played in both Lucknow and Kanpur," said Sanjay Kapoor, chairman of UPT20.
Captains and franchise owners from all six squads — Gorakhpur Lions Squad, Kanpur Superstars, Kashi Rudras, Noida Super Kings, Lucknow Falcons, and Meerut Mavericks — were present on the field for the unveiling.
Opening Match: Meerut Takes an Early Win
The inaugural contest pitted Rinku Singh's Meerut Mavericks against Karan Sharma's Kashi Rudras. The Mavericks came out on top, claiming a victory that set the tone for the rest of the season.
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