LUCKNOW, Aug. 14 -- Two-time UPT20 champions Kashi Rudras will kick off their 2026 title defence against arch rivals Meerut Mavericks, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Friday. The match revives last season's final rematch when Kashi defeated Meerut by eight wickets to lift their second UPT20 crown, and both sides will be keen to set the tone for a long campaign that runs till September 6. Last season the Rudras were the team to beat. They won seven of their 10 league fixtures, including a six-match winning streak to open their campaign, then beat the Mavericks in Qualifier 1 before producing a dominant performance in the final. Much of that success was powered by captain and Delhi-boy Karan Sharma, who topped the run charts with 519 runs to claim his second Orange Cap in UPT20 history. The bowling attack was equally potent as young Atal Bihari Rai finished joint-second among wicket-takers with 20 scalps, while Sunil Kumar and Kartik Yadav contributed 15 and 14 wickets respectively. The opening clash is also notable because it features the only two sides to have lifted the UPT20 trophy so far. Kashi Rudras won the inaugural title in 2023 and again in 2025, while the Meerut Mavericks were champions in 2024. That history adds extra spice as Meerut will want early revenge and to prove their title credentials, while Kashi aim to become the first team to successfully defend the UPT20 crown. "We have been doing well in all three seasons so far. There is no pressure of captaincy on me," said Meerut Mavericks's skipper Rinku Singh. "We are ready for all challenges and my formula is very simple as I have told all the players in the side to give their best whenever they get a chance," he said on Thursday. Kashi head into the new season with a largely retained core but a fresh look after an 11-day pre-season camp in Kanpur. The camp focused on conditioning, skill work and team bonding, giving new and existing players time to settle into roles. Sharma believes the period together has strengthened connections within the squad and provided a solid foundation ahead of the opener. "It has been a very good camp for us. We got the space to spend time together, understand each other and get comfortable as a group before we started thinking about the first game," Sharma said. "It is a great feeling to be part of a setup where the conversations began even before we stepped onto the field for practice. The team has come together really well and we know there is a lot of hard work ahead. We have the support and prayers of Kashi behind us and now it is about taking that energy into the first game and giving our best." Kashi strengthened their roster at the player auction in Agra while retaining key performers. All-rounder Mohammad Sharim was the franchise's marquee purchase at Rs 17.50 lakh. Other additions include Vaibhav Choudhary, Vijay Yadav, Virat Jaiswal, Manav Sindhu and Sahab Yuvraj Singh-names that add depth and tactical options for the coaching staff. Friday's opening fixture therefore promises a blend of rivalry and renewal: a rematch of last season's final, the first competitive outing for Kashi's revamped squad, and the opening stride in a campaign where the Rudras will chase history. For Karan Sharma and his teammates, a winning start at Ekana will be the ideal way to begin their bid to become the first team to claim three UPT20 titles....