UPCA Speed Hunt: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rinku Singh Praise Initiative

The rural hinterlands and small towns of Uttar Pradesh are brimming with untapped cricketing talent, needing only the right platform to shine. This reality was spectacularly validated during the recent UPT20 League Season 4 ‘Captains Meet’ in Lucknow, where League Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor revealed the staggering success of the ambitious ‘Speed Hunt’ initiative, drawing widespread praise from the franchise captains.

Initiated under the expert guidance of Shri Rajeev Shukla, the primary objective of the ‘Speed Hunt’ was to discover and fast-track raw, express fast bowlers from the remotest corners of the state who previously lacked the avenues to showcase their skills on a major platform.

Shubham Gautam sparks ₹21.5 lakh bidding war

Detailing the incredible success of the state-wide scouting program, UPT20 League Chairman Dr. Sanjay Kapoor shared a heartwarming story of an overnight sensation.

“We organized the ‘Speed Hunt’ across the entire state without charging any trial fees. Our objective was to ensure that no talented player’s dream remains unfulfilled due to a lack of financial resources,” Dr. Kapoor explained. “Shubham Gautam, whom no one knew just eight days ago, stunned everyone by consistently bowling at 144 to 145 kmph during the trials. Starting at a base price of ₹2.5 Lakhs, he sparked a bidding war and was bought for an astounding ₹21.5 Lakhs at the auction. This is the true impact and success of this league.”

The influx of these raw, express pacers into the tournament has generated immense excitement among the franchise leadership. Speaking at the event, the team captains showered praise on the initiative and the quality of talent it has brought to the league.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar backs Speed Hunt’s impact on Indian cricket

Lucknow Falcons captain and veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar emphasized the technical significance of the scouting program.

“Being a fast bowler myself, I understand exactly how special it is to consistently bowl over 140 kmph. When such youngsters emerge directly onto the big stage through platforms like the ‘Speed Hunt’, it not only strengthens our franchise teams but also highly benefits the future of Indian cricket. We are very eager to work with these young bowlers, share our experiences, and guide them,” he stated.

Rinku Singh highlights challenge from young UP pacers

Meerut Mavericks captain and explosive Indian batter Rinku Singh highlighted the fierce competition these new bowlers will bring.

“There is absolutely no shortage of talent in Uttar Pradesh; all that was needed was the right opportunity. The boys selected through the Speed Hunt possess tremendous hunger and sheer pace. Facing these young pacers in the nets and during competitive matches will be a fantastic challenge for our batters as well,” Singh noted.

Young skippers Sameer Rizvi (Kanpur Superstars), Madhav Kaushik (Noida Kings), and Aryan Juyal (Gorakhpur Lions) echoed a unified sentiment, praising the UPT20 League for eliminating financial barriers. They unanimously agreed that conducting the hunt without trial fees provided direct exposure to talented players from far-flung areas.

with agency excerpts