Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh T20 (UPT20) League 2025 has entered its high-voltage knockout stage, and the Eliminator promises fireworks as the Lucknow Falcons take on the Gorakhpur Lions at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, September 3, at 7:30 PM IST. For one of these sides, the journey toward the maiden UPT20 title will end here. For the other, a victory means survival and a ticket to Qualifier 2—just one step away from the September 6 final.
A Tale of Contrasting Journeys
The UPT20 League, launched by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association in 2023, has quickly established itself as India’s premier state-level T20 competition. The Eliminator features two sides with very different stories. The Lucknow Falcons, the tournament’s most consistent performers, are making their third consecutive playoff appearance. Their opponents, the Gorakhpur Lions, are entering uncharted territory after finishing last in 2023 and fifth in 2024.
Falcons Eye Redemption
Led by seasoned Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the Falcons have built a reputation for consistency but remain haunted by knockout stage failures. Both in 2023 and 2024, they finished in the top three yet fell short of a final berth. This year, they clawed their way into the playoffs with back-to-back wins at the end of the league phase. Samarth Singh and Priyam Garg provide stability at the top, while all-rounders like Vipraj Nigam bring balance to the side. Their recent 60-run thrashing of the Lions in the league stage offers confidence, but history warns against overconfidence.
Lions Embrace the Underdog Spirit
The Gorakhpur Lions, under the leadership of Akshdeep Nath, have scripted a turnaround story. From wooden spooners in 2023 to semifinalists in 2025, their journey reflects grit and persistence. They began this season with three wins in four matches but lost momentum later, finishing with a shaky net run rate of -0.779. Nath has been the batting backbone with 300-plus runs, while Siddharth Jain’s fearless stroke play at a strike rate of nearly 184 has provided the spark. Their real weapon, however, lies in the pace trio of Vasu Vats, Prince Yadav, and Teerath Singh, who could prove lethal under Lucknow’s evening skies.
Recent Form
Momentum tilts slightly toward the Falcons, who enter this clash on the back of two crucial wins, displaying both composure and resilience. Abhinandan Singh’s early-season bowling form and Priyam Garg’s reliability at the top strengthen their chances. The Lions, however, come into the Eliminator nursing back-to-back defeats. To keep their dream alive, Aryan Juyal’s consistency and Nath’s leadership will be critical, along with their pace attack rediscovering its early-season firepower.
Head-to-Head Rivalry
In six UPT20 encounters so far, the Falcons lead 4–2. The 2025 season saw the honors split: the Lions stunned Lucknow with a seven-wicket victory in the first meeting, only for the Falcons to reply with a dominant 60-run win in the reverse fixture. This Eliminator will be their first-ever playoff meeting, adding another chapter to a budding rivalry.
Pitch and Conditions
The Ekana Stadium surface has kept both batters and bowlers guessing this season. While the average first-innings score hovers around 175, the venue has witnessed both 220-plus totals and sudden collapses under 120. Red soil pitches favor pacers with extra bounce, while black soil surfaces aid spinners. With the monsoon in the air, expect variable bounce and a slower track as the night progresses. The long straight boundaries will test the power and placement of every batter.
Weather and Toss Dynamics
The weather is expected to stay clear, with temperatures around 30°C and high humidity. Dew is likely to play a big role, making batting easier in the second innings. Captains are expected to chase after winning the toss, aiming to restrict early and cash in later with the bat.
What to Expect
The Falcons will bank on Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s experience, Garg’s calmness, and Abhinandan Singh’s knack for early breakthroughs. The Lions will rely on Nath’s leadership, Aryan Juyal’s consistency, and the firepower of their pace attack. The head-to-head edge and recent form put Lucknow slightly ahead, but Gorakhpur’s fearless cricket and underdog spirit could spring an upset.
Prediction
The Lucknow Falcons enter as slight favorites, with their playoff experience and balance giving them the edge. But the Gorakhpur Lions, hungry for their first playoff triumph, remain dangerous—especially if their pacers fire under lights. Expect a target in the 160–180 range to be par, and the contest to go down to the wire.
Summing it up
The Eliminator isn’t just about survival—it’s about identity. For Lucknow, it’s about finally converting consistency into silverware. For Gorakhpur, it’s about proving that their rise is no accident. When the two teams step onto the Ekana turf, local pride, playoff hopes, and raw ambition will collide. One team will march on toward the final, while the other will see its dream dissolve under the floodlights of Lucknow.
