Taking a step further, Star Sports has come up with a brand-new gladiatorial Cricket series titled ‘Ultimate Kricket Challenge (UKC)’. Introducing a new format of the sport, UKC is set to captivate the minds and hearts of every Cricket fan, like no other format.
The first exhilarating season of UKC will see six global superstars and UKC contenders – Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell and Rashid Khan – pad-up for this one-of-a-kind series that reinvents Cricket in a gladiatorial style. This unique one-on-one format of cricket will see these global superstars going head-to-head against each other to see who’s the greatest individual cricketer in the world.
Yuvraj Singh: UKC Will Be New Cricketing Evolution And This Format Will Be Wonderful
Speaking to Star Sports ahead of the first-ever Ultimate Kricket Challenge (UKC), former Team India all-rounder and UKC contender Yuvraj Singh said, “Cricket has been at the heart of every Indian fan and, but it needs to constantly evolve, constantly excite. UKC is that evolution. This brand-new format is wonderful. It’s what Cricket is about. Player versus player. No distractions. One on one. It’s exciting and it’s the future of Cricket that I know will strike a chord with viewers and fans. I am up for this challenge to be the best in the world and hope to emulate my 2007 T20 World Cup feat of six consecutive sixes in the UKC as well. Hoping for a great show in Dubai and to beat all the others.”
Ravi Thakran, chairman of UKC, said: “We sincerely believe that UKC will go on to become one of the most recognisable sports leagues in the world.”
Here Are The Rules For New Ultimate Kricket Challenge
This 16-match tournament will see the introduction of new Cricket rules in a new one-on-one Cricket match format. Each match will consist of 2 UKC contenders squaring off against each other across 4 innings of 15-balls each in every match.
2 points will be awarded for a UKC contender winning a match in the league stage
The UKC contender with more runs at the end of each match is the winner
The top 4 UKC contenders from the league rounds enter the Semi-Finals, which are knock-out matches; winners of the Semi-Finals make it to the Finals.
Each innings consists of 15 balls. A UKC Contender must bowl a minimum of 8 balls per inning, while a sub player – an ‘Ace’ – can bowl a maximum of 7 balls per innings
Each UKC Contender when bowling will be assisted by 1 fielder and 1 wicketkeeper inside the UKC Dome
A bouncer will be called a No ball and the next delivery will be a Free Hit
No Balls and Wides are 1 run penalty each
A UKC Contender while batting can gain run(s) only after they complete a physical run
Scoring is divided into 6 scoring zones
Zone A – 1 run
Zone B- 1 run
Zone C – 2 runs
Zone D – 3 runs
Zone E – with a bounce 4 runs
Zone E- Direct 6 runs
If a batsman hits the Bullseye (behind the bowler) he will be rewarded 12 runs and gain an extra ball to play. Bullseye on the square of wickets will fetch the batter 4 Runs.
Every time a batter gets out, 5 runs are deducted from the total
Tournament will start from 24th December 2020 until 1st January 2021
