Lucknow: As the fourth edition of the Uttar Pradesh T20 League begins in Lucknow on Friday, Kanpur Superstars return keen to turn competitive performances into a title-winning campaign. Superstars were runners-up once, while Kashi Rudras (twice) and Meerut Mavericks have shared the success.
At the centre of Superstars’ mission again is Sameer Rizvi, 22, whose power, temperament and growing leadership made him the franchise’s most important player across the first three seasons.
Their 2023 campaign established them as serious contenders. The Superstars finished third in the league phase and qualified for the playoffs with Rizvi emerging as one of the tournament’s most destructive batters.
Rizvi scored 455 runs in the first season, and his 122 off 59 balls against Meerut Mavericks was one of the defining innings of the league. The knock contained 11 sixes and six fours, demonstrating the clean striking that would soon attract national attention. He also hit a league-leading 35 sixes.
The 2023 season revealed the team’s potential, but their campaign also exposed the difference between individual brilliance and collective consistency. Rizvi’s performances gave the side a powerful batting identity, yet they still needed greater stability in pressure matches.
Rizvi’s fine batting fetched him a ₹8.4 crore contract by the Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2024. Superstars took a further step in the second edition, reaching the final after defeating Lucknow Falcons in the second qualifier after finishing fourth in the league stage.
Rizvi again shouldered the batting responsibility. He ended the season with 365 runs, remaining among the competition’s leading batters. His 57 off 36 balls in the final helped Superstars post 190/5, although Meerut Mavericks won the title. However, Rizvi had evolved into the side’s central batting pillar and captain.
In the last edition though Superstars began poorly, losing seven games and winning only three to exit at the league stage. It reflected a recurring problem – the team often depended too heavily on Rizvi to produce decisive contributions.
Even during the difficult run, Rizvi remained capable of spectacular match-winning displays. He scored 93 from 49 balls against Gorakhpur and followed it with an unbeaten 78 from 48 against Mavericks, though Superstars could not convert his efforts into victories. Later, his unbeaten 76 from 32 balls, including nine sixes, powered the team to an eight-wicket win over Lucknow Falcons and lifted Superstars briefly to the third place.
Former India allrounder Gyanendra Pandey, who has taken up a hands-on role as team mentor and director is confident of Superstars doing well this season.
“We have a balanced side with a mix of young and experienced. Rizvi as well as pacer Mohsin Khan hold a lot of importance for the side, and the boys are excited and looking for the opportunities,” he said on Wednesday at the team’s training session.
“This league has been a big platform for our players to draw the attention of IPL scouts. The league has supplied talent to different IPL sides,” he added.