The opening ceremony of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow turned into a star-studded spectacle, with Bollywood celebrities adding glamour and energy to the cricketing extravaganza.
Singer Sunidhi Chauhan set the evening ablaze with a high-octane performance, belting out chartbusters like Desi Girl, Aa Jara Kareeb Se, Disco Deewane, and Aisa Jaadu Dala Re. She was followed by Uttar Pradesh’s very own star, Disha Patani, who enthralled fans with her dance moves on Mundiya Tu Bach Ke Rahi, Bareilly Ka Jhumka, and Slow Motion.
Raising the temperature further, Tamannaah Bhatia delivered a power-packed act with songs like Dilwalon Ke Dil Ka Karaar, Ghaghra, Jhumka Gira Re, and Tera Nasha, before bringing the house down with Aaj Ki Raat from Stree 2 (2024).
Adding to the glamour quotient, actors Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor also took the stage, grooving to numbers from their film Param Sundari. The dazzling performances were complemented by a spectacular laser show and fireworks display.
The evening also witnessed the grand unveiling of the trophy in the presence of the six team captains, league brand ambassador and former cricketer Suresh Raina, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, UPT20 League Governing Council Chairman and UP Cricket Association Director Devendra Singh Chauhan, along with other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Shukla said, “UP T20 Cricket League has succeeded in highlighting the talent of Uttar Pradesh and that’s the reason we see dozens of players from the state playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).”
Chauhan added, “The scale of the state league has become bigger every year which can be gauged from the auctions, infrastructure, enthusiasm amongst the players and audience.”
On the field, the cricketing action kicked off with Rinku Singh’s Meerut Mavericks defeating Sameer Rizvi’s Kanpur Superstars by a thumping margin of 86 runs in the tournament opener. The final will be played on September 6.
Earlier in the day, Sidharth and Janhvi visited Hazratganj, where they relished the city’s famous basket chaat, adding a touch of local flavor to the glamorous evening.
