Lucknow, August 18 (HS): The Uttar Pradesh T20 League 2025 kicked off in explosive fashion on Sunday, as Meerut Mavericks registered a commanding 86-run victory over Kanpur Superstars in the opening clash at the Ekana Stadium.

Opting to bat first, the Mavericks set the tone with a mammoth total of 225 for 2 in 20 overs, riding on a scintillating innings from Madhav Kaushik, who smashed 95 runs off just 31 balls, peppered with a flurry of boundaries and towering sixes. He was ably supported by Rituraj Sharma (60 off 36 balls), while Akshay Dubey (44) and Swastik Chikara (19) gave the side a steady start.

In reply, the Kanpur Superstars faltered under scoreboard pressure, scraping their way to 139 for 9. Their top order collapsed early, with Inzamam Hussain (4) and Adarsh Singh (1) departing cheaply. Skipper Sameer Rizvi waged a lone battle with a fighting 45, while Priyanshu Gautam chipped in with 34, but the chase never gained momentum against disciplined bowling.

Mavericks’ bowlers ensured there was no escape—Vijay Kumar, Kartik Tyagi, and Yash Garg picked up two wickets apiece, while Zeashan Ansari added one to seal an emphatic win.

The Mavericks now sit atop the table with a statement-making performance, showcasing the batting firepower and bowling depth that could make them early title favorites in this year’s UP T20 League.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar