UPKL Season 2: Yamuna Yodhas Squad, Players, and Team Overview
Yamuna Yodhas has become an important name in the world of kabaddi since their debut in UPKL Season 1. The team from the Yamuna region has worked hard to build a strong foundation for UPKL Season 2. With new player selections and careful planning, Yamuna Yodhas is ready to take on the challenge in the second season of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League.
The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League Season 2 will start on December 24, 2025, at the Noida Indoor Stadium. This time, the league is bigger with 12 teams instead of 8 teams. Yamuna Yodhas has prepared a squad that focuses on strong teamwork, smart raiding skills, and tough defending abilities. The team has invested in players at the auction with careful thinking and planning. Each player choice shows that the Yamuna Yodhas management believes in building a balanced team.
Team Owner’s Vision
Tejpal Sharma, the owner of Yamuna Yodhas, has shared that his team is not just about playing kabaddi. Yamuna Yodhas has grown into a movement that brings people together. In Season 1, the team won matches that many people thought were impossible to win. These victories came from teamwork, discipline, and trust among the players.
The owner believes that Yamuna Yodhas should be a driving force in grassroots kabaddi development across Uttar Pradesh. This means the team wants to help young players improve and grow their skills. The management is focused on data-driven methods, fitness training, and building better team chemistry for UPKL Season 2.
The spirit of Yamuna Yodhas is about bringing people together through kabaddi. The team has gained many supporters who believe in the same values. This support gives the players extra motivation to perform well.
Squad Composition: Balanced and Strategic
Yamuna Yodhas has built a squad with a good balance of raiders, defenders, and all-rounders. The team has 14 players on the squad list. Each player was bought at the UPKL Season 2 auction with careful thought about their role in the team.
The squad includes players of different age groups and experience levels. Some players are young talents who can grow with the team. Others are experienced players who can guide newer players and provide stability. This mix helps create a team that can handle different game situations.
The team spent money smartly at the auction. Abhishek Panwar, the captain and a raider, was bought for 125,000 rupees, which was the highest price for the team. Other important players like Lalit Sharma (a defender) for 120,000 rupees and Ujjwal Nagar (a raider) for 120,000 rupees show the team’s focus on buying good players in important positions.
Raiding Unit: The Scoring Power
The raiding unit is the part of the team that scores points by raiding the other team’s half. Yamuna Yodhas has chosen several raiders to create scoring opportunities. Abhishek Panwar is the main raider and captain. He plays in the RDR (right defender raider) position. This position is important because raiders in this role can both attack and defend.
Ujjwal Nagar is another key raider. He was bought for 120,000 rupees, showing the team’s belief in his ability. Ujjwal plays the RDR position and can create problems for the opposing team’s defense.
The team also has Ritik Sharma and Abhishek Singh as backup raiders. Both play the RDR position and bring fresh energy to the raiding unit. Having backup raiders is important because it gives the team options when the main raiders need a break or when the opposing team’s defense is too strong.
Ronak Rana adds another raiding option. He was bought for 100,000 rupees and plays the RDR position. Having multiple raiders with different styles can confuse the opposing defense and create more scoring chances.
The raiding unit’s total value at the auction was around 565,000 rupees. This investment shows that the team believes in the importance of strong raiding to win matches.
Defensive Unit: The Wall of Yamuna Yodhas
The defensive unit is made up of players who try to stop the opposing raiders from scoring. A strong defense is equally important as a strong raiding attack. Yamuna Yodhas has built a defensive line that can handle raids from any opponent.
Lalit Sharma is one of the main defenders. He was bought for 120,000 rupees and plays the DEF (defender) position. Lalit is a Category A player, which means he has high auction value and is considered an important player.
Vinit Nain is another key defender. He was bought for 100,000 rupees and brings experience to the defense. Other defenders on the team are Ajay Rathi for 100,000 rupees, Nitin Solanki for 85,000 rupees, and Himanshu Choudhary for 60,000 rupees.
The team also has young defender Shivam Kumar, who was bought for 60,000 rupees. Young defenders bring energy and speed to the defensive line, which can surprise opposing raiders.
The defensive unit’s total investment shows that Yamuna Yodhas understands the need for a strong defense. In kabaddi, controlling raids and stopping opponents from scoring is just as important as raiding well.
All-Rounders: The Flexible Players
All-rounders are players who can both raid and defend. These players are very useful because they give the team flexibility in how they play. Yamuna Yodhas has chosen several all-rounders to make the team more adaptable.
Aman Solanki is one of the main all-rounders. He was bought for 115,000 rupees and plays the ALR (all-rounder) position. This high price shows the team’s confidence in his abilities.
The team also has Shivam Kumar and Krishan Kumar as all-rounders. Both were bought for 60,000 rupees and 25,000 rupees respectively. Shivam is a Category D player, while Krishan is also a Category D player. These younger all-rounders bring speed and agility to the team.
Lakshya Chaudhary adds another all-rounder option. He was bought for 40,000 rupees and brings different skills to the team’s attack and defense.
All-rounders allow the team to change their game plan during a match. If the raiding is not working well, all-rounders can shift to stronger defense. If the team is defending well, all-rounders can contribute to the raiding effort.
Yamuna Yodhas Squad: Overview
The Yamuna Yodhas squad for UPKL Season 2 has 14 players. The team has selected these players to create a balanced squad that can raid well, defend well, and adapt to different game situations. The squad includes experienced players, solid performers, and young talents.
The team’s strategy at the auction was clear. Spend more on important positions like captain and main raider. Get good value by picking solid Category B players. Take chances on young talent in Category D. Build a squad that works well together rather than just collecting individual stars.
Squad Table: Yamuna Yodhas UPKL Season 2
| Player Name | Role | Category | Auction Price (Rupees) |
| Abhishek Panwar | RDR (Raider) | C | 125,000 |
| Ritik Sharma | RDR (Raider) | A | 120,000 |
| Abhishek Singh | RDR (Raider) | A | 120,000 |
| Ujjwal Nagar | RDR (Raider) | B | 120,000 |
| Ronak Rana | RDR (Raider) | C | 100,000 |
| Lalit Sharma | DEF (Defender) | A | 120,000 |
| Ajay Rathi | DEF (Defender) | C | 100,000 |
| Vinit Nain | DEF (Defender) | B | 100,000 |
| Nitin Solanki | DEF (Defender) | B | 85,000 |
| Himanshu Choudhary | DEF (Defender) | D | 60,000 |
| Aman Solanki | ALR (All-Rounder) | B | 115,000 |
| Shivam Kumar | ALR (All-Rounder) | D | 60,000 |
| Lakshya Chaudhary | ALR (All-Rounder) | C | 40,000 |
| Krishan Kumar | ALR (All-Rounder) | D | 25,000 |
Challenges and Opportunities
Playing in a 12-team league is more challenging than an 8-team league because there are more teams to beat. Each match becomes more important because losing just a few games can hurt the team’s chances of reaching the top four.
However, the larger league also brings more opportunities. Yamuna Yodhas can face different types of teams and learn from different playing styles. The team can pick up important wins against tough opponents to gain confidence.
The concentrated schedule (four matches per day) means teams need good planning and fitness management. Injuries become more serious because there is less time to recover. The team with good squad depth will have an advantage.
Yamuna Yodhas is more than just a kabaddi team. The team represents a movement to grow kabaddi in Uttar Pradesh. The squad has been chosen with careful thought about balance, value, and growth potential. The management’s focus on data-driven methods, fitness, and team chemistry shows they are serious about competing at the highest level.
The team’s owner, Tejpal Sharma, has a clear vision. Yamuna Yodhas should not just play good kabaddi. The team should inspire young players to take up the sport. The team should show that teamwork and discipline matter more than individual skill.
UPKL Season 2 will be the real test for Yamuna Yodhas. The team will face tough opponents. The team will play many matches in a short time. The team will have to handle injuries and adapt to different situations. But the squad they have chosen and the approach they have planned give them a good chance to compete well.
Yamuna Yodhas enters UPKL Season 2 with confidence, clear planning, and the support of fans. Whether the team wins the tournament or not, they have already shown they are building something bigger than just wins and losses. They are building a team that represents the people of the Yamuna region and their love for kabaddi.
