Lucknow, September 2: Kashi Rudras’ captain Karan Sharma is confident that his team will continue their winning streak in the playoffs of the UP T20 League 2026. After finishing the league stage in third place with five wins and 10 points, Kashi Rudras must defeat the Noida Super Kings in the eliminator to keep their hopes of a consecutive title alive.
Regarding the playoffs, Captain Karan Sharma stated, “We understand what is at stake now. There’s no room for looking back, as this is a completely different phase of the tournament. We faced a tough period, but the way the team responded and bounced back shows the spirit of this group. Everyone is back with enthusiasm, and we need to give our all in the next match.”
Head coach Dhruv Singh believes that the team’s journey during the league stage has prepared them well for the pressures of knockout cricket. “The best part for us has been how the group faced difficult situations. We went through a challenging phase in the middle of the tournament, but the players never lost faith in the process. Our victory against Meerut Mavericks in the last league match was a testament to this team’s spirit. Now that the league stage is behind us, everyone understands that the margin for victory and defeat in the playoffs will be very slim. We have match-winners in both departments (batting and bowling). We’ve secured our spot in the playoffs, and our goal now is to win the next match and take another step towards defending our title.”
The Rudras’ campaign has been marked by resilience and determination. After a strong start with three wins in their first four matches, the reigning champions faced a tough period, suffering four consecutive losses. However, the team made a remarkable comeback in the second half of the league. Karan Sharma has been at the center of Kashi Rudras’ campaign, entering the playoffs as the holder of the Orange Cap with 355 runs. The captain has been in excellent form throughout the season, playing several match-winning innings, including a blistering 102 runs off 51 balls against Noida Super Kings and an unbeaten 92 runs off 48 balls against Gorakhpur Lions.
Karan has received solid support from Abhishek Goswami (241 runs) and Sahib Yuvraj Singh (217 runs). In bowling, Atal Bihari Rai has led the attack with 14 wickets, while Vijay Yadav has taken 13 wickets. Young left-arm spinner Kartik Yadav has also performed admirably this season, claiming 10 wickets. Kashi Rudras will face Noida Super Kings in the eliminator, as the two-time champions aim for their historic third title in the UP T20 League.
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