Lucknow, September 12 (TNA) Women cricketers in Uttar Pradesh are set to get a major competitive platform, with the Cricket Association Lucknow (CAL) announcing plans to organise the city’s first-ever Lucknow Women’s Premier League this month.
The proposed T20-style tournament is expected to feature around six teams and will be held over five to six days under day-night conditions. The initiative is aimed at giving registered women players competitive exposure ahead of the domestic cricket season, scheduled to begin on September 29.
Trials from September 15
CAL secretary Khaleeq Mukhtar Khan said trials for the league are scheduled to begin on September 15, with around 180 women cricketers registered with the association expected to be called up. “This is the first time in the city that CAL is planning a Lucknow Women’s Premier League for girls to provide them exposure in cricket,” Khan said, adding that the association hopes to complete the tournament before the start of the domestic season.
The competition is being planned on the lines of franchise-style T20 leagues and is expected to provide a match environment for emerging players who often have limited opportunities to play structured, competitive cricket at the local level.
Focus shifts to women’s cricket
The announcement comes after the proposed Lucknow Premier League for men remained in limbo amid delays and the absence of approval from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). CAL has now shifted its immediate attention towards women’s cricket and the proposed women’s league.
The move is expected to help identify local talent and provide young cricketers an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of selectors, coaches and cricket administrators before the new season begins.
Timely boost for UP players
The development comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh’s women’s cricket set-up is looking to regain momentum after a mixed 2025 season. The state team had enjoyed a promising 2024 campaign, winning the Under-19 one-day title and finishing runners-up in the T20 Trophy, but could not sustain that form across categories last year.
With six teams likely to be formed from the pool of registered players, the Lucknow Women’s Premier League could become an important talent pathway for women’s cricket in the state. It is also expected to encourage more girls to take up the sport and offer established local players a chance to gain valuable match practice in a competitive T20 setting.
The Cricket Association Lucknow is expected to announce the final format, team composition, venues and match schedule after the trials.