UP Yoddhas Squad 2026: Full Player List, New Coach and PKL 13 Outlook
The UP Yoddhas squad enters PKL Season 13 at a turning point. Long-time head coach Jasveer Singh stepped down at the end of Season 12, assistant Upendra Malik has been promoted to lead the team, and a roster that finished ninth now needs fresh direction. This guide covers every player from the Season 12 squad, the young players who stood out, the contracts already in place, and the auction decisions waiting for Lucknow’s franchise.
Last updated: October 26, 2026. The official Season 13 squad will be confirmed after the retention announcement and player auction. This page lists the complete Season 12 roster and the players already tied to the club.
UP Yoddhas Squad: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Home city | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| First season | Season 5 (2017) |
| PKL titles | None yet |
| Season 12 finish | 9th in the league (7 wins, 11 losses, 14 points) |
| Season 12 score difference | -65 |
| Biggest Season 12 signing | Guman Singh, INR 1.073 crore |
| Season 13 head coach | Upendra Malik (promoted from assistant coach) |
| Previous head coach | Jasveer Singh (Seasons 6 to 12), now at Patna Pirates |
| Season 13 squad status | To be confirmed after retentions and the auction |
UP Yoddhas Squad 2026: Full Season 12 Player List
The complete UP Yoddhas squad from Season 12 is listed below by role, as published in the official squad release, with Season 12 numbers where available.
Raiders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Gagana Gowda HR | Right raider | 130 raid points in 18 matches |
| Guman Singh | Raider | Signed for INR 1.073 crore |
| Bhavani Rajput | Raider | 77 raid points in 17 matches |
| Shivam Chaudhary | Left raider | 41 raid points in 15 matches |
| Surender Gill | Raider | 18 raid points in 5 matches |
| Dong Geon Lee (Korea) | Raider, overseas | Signed for INR 13.50 lakh |
| Keshav Kumar | Raider | Squad option |
| Pranay Vinay Rane | Raider | Squad option |
| Jatin | Right raider | Did not feature |
Defenders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Hitesh | Right corner | 48 tackle points in 18 matches |
| Sumit | Left corner | 46 tackle points in 18 matches |
| Ashu Singh | Right cover | 32 tackle points in 18 matches |
| Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi (Iran) | Left corner, overseas | Signed for INR 20 lakh |
| Jayesh Vikas Mahajan | Left corner | Retained before the auction |
| Gangaram | Left cover | Retained before the auction |
| Sahul Kumar | Right corner | Retained before the auction |
| Sachin | Right cover | Retained before the auction |
| Ronak | Left cover | Squad option |
| Mahender Singh | Left cover | Squad option |
Key Players in the UP Yoddhas Squad
Here is a quick summary of the leading names before the detailed profiles.
| Player | Role | Season 12 Impact | Contract or Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gagana Gowda | Right raider | 130 raid points in 18 matches | Young-player contract |
| Guman Singh | Raider | Signed for INR 1.073 crore | Retention decision |
| Hitesh | Right corner | 48 tackle points in 18 matches | Young-player contract |
| Sumit | Left corner | 46 tackle points in 18 matches | Retention decision |
| Bhavani Rajput | Raider | 77 raid points in 17 matches | Retention decision |
Gagana Gowda: The Breakout Raider
Young right raider Gagana Gowda was the brightest light in a difficult season. He scored 130 raid points in 18 matches and became the most productive raider in the UP Yoddhas squad. Fan contract trackers report that he enters the second year of a retained-young-player deal, which keeps him at the club automatically for Season 13. He is the obvious building block for the new coaching team.
Guman Singh: The Big Signing
UP made raider Guman Singh their headline buy at the Season 12 auction, paying INR 1.073 crore. A season earlier, he had been one of the auction’s most expensive players. His high salary makes him one of the biggest retention decisions facing UP before Season 13.
Hitesh and Sumit: The Corner Pairing
UP’s defence was built around two reliable corners. Right corner Hitesh recorded 48 tackle points in 18 matches, and left corner Sumit added 46 in 18. Hitesh is reported to stay automatically on a young-player contract, while Sumit is a strong retention candidate.
Bhavani Rajput and Surender Gill: Experience in Attack
Bhavani Rajput contributed 77 raid points in 17 matches. Surender Gill, kept as an Elite Retained Player before Season 12, had a quiet season with 18 raid points in five matches, largely because of limited opportunities. Both bring experience the young raiders can learn from.
Ashu Singh: The Steady Cover
Right cover Ashu Singh scored 32 tackle points in 18 matches. He has been UP’s first-choice right cover for several seasons and adds consistency to the defence.
How the UP Yoddhas Squad Was Built for Season 12
Before the auction, UP kept raiders Bhavani Rajput, Surender Gill, Gagana Gowda and Shivam Chaudhary, plus defenders Sahul Kumar, Ashu Singh, Hitesh, Jayesh Mahajan, Gangaram and Sachin. Surender Gill was one of the headline Elite Retained Players across the league.
Season 12 Auction Signings
| Player | Role | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Guman Singh | Raider | INR 1.073 crore |
| Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi | Overseas left corner | INR 20 lakh |
| Dong Geon Lee | Overseas raider | INR 13.50 lakh |
For context on where Guman Singh’s price ranks among the league’s biggest deals, see our list of the highest-paid PKL players.
UP Yoddhas Season 12 Review
The UP Yoddhas squad won seven and lost eleven of its 18 league matches, finishing ninth on 14 points with a score difference of -65. That left them one place outside the eight-team postseason. Eighth-placed Jaipur Pink Panthers finished two points ahead. The full standings are on our PKL points table page.
Season 12 by the Numbers
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| League position | 9th |
| Wins / losses | 7 / 11 |
| League points | 14 |
| Score difference | -65 |
| Top raider | Gagana Gowda, 130 raid points |
| Top defender | Hitesh, 48 tackle points |
| Postseason | Did not qualify |
The Coaching Exit
At the end of UP’s final league match, head coach Jasveer Singh announced in the post-match press conference that he was stepping down. Fan reports describe the announcement as a surprise even to the players. Jasveer had led the team from Season 6, taking UP to the playoffs five times in seven seasons, and he has since joined Patna Pirates.
The New Coach: Upendra Malik
UP promoted Upendra Malik to head coach for Season 13. He has been an assistant coach in PKL since Season 6, working with U Mumba, then with Jaipur Pink Panthers, where he was part of the Season 9 title-winning staff, and then with UP from Season 10 to Season 12. His familiarity with the UP Yoddhas squad and its young players should make the transition smoother.
Upendra Malik Coaching Career
| Season(s) | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons 6-7 | U Mumba | Assistant coach |
| Seasons 8-9 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Assistant coach (Season 9 champions) |
| Seasons 10-12 | UP Yoddhas | Assistant coach |
| Season 13 | UP Yoddhas | Head coach |
UP Yoddhas Squad Contract Status for PKL 13
Fan contract trackers report the following picture for the UP Yoddhas squad.
| Player | Category | Season 13 Position |
|---|---|---|
| Gagana Gowda | Retained Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Shivam Chaudhary | Retained Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Hitesh | Retained Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Jatin | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Bhavani Rajput | Retention decision | Strong candidate |
| Sumit | Retention decision | Strong candidate |
| Ashu Singh | Retention decision | Strong candidate |
| Surender Gill | Retention decision | Uncertain |
| Guman Singh | Retention decision | Depends on purse strategy |
Our guide to retained and released players explains these categories in Hindi.
Strengths of the UP Yoddhas Squad
A Young Attacking Core
Gagana Gowda and Shivam Chaudhary are young, improving and reportedly under contract, giving the attack a future.
Reliable Corners
Hitesh and Sumit combined for 94 tackle points, a strong base for any defence.
Coaching Continuity Through Promotion
Promoting an assistant who already knows the players keeps some stability despite the change at the top.
Weaknesses the UP Yoddhas Squad Must Fix
Score Difference
A -65 score difference shows that losses were often heavy. Closing games better is a clear target.
Return on the Big Signing
Spending more than INR 1 crore on one raider only pays off if he leads the attack. UP must decide whether Guman Singh fits the new plan.
Consistent Lead Raider
The attack needs one raider who can carry the scoring load every match.
UP Yoddhas Squad Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Young attacking core | -65 score difference |
| Reliable corner pairing | Only one raider above 80 raid points |
| New coach knows the players | Uncertain return on the big signing |
| Several players under contract | No settled lead raider |
What UP Yoddhas Need at the PKL 13 Auction
The PKL Season 13 auction is a chance for Upendra Malik to shape his first squad.
Priority 1: A Dependable Lead Raider
Whether that is Guman Singh, Gagana Gowda stepping up, or a new signing, the attack needs a clear leader.
Priority 2: Keep the Corner Pairing
Retaining Sumit alongside Hitesh would preserve the best part of the defence.
Priority 3: Cover Depth
Extra quality at left and right cover would reduce the pressure on the corners.
UP Yoddhas Auction Priority Table
| Priority | Target | Urgency | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dependable lead raider | High | Only Gagana Gowda scored consistently |
| 2 | Keep the corner pairing | High | Hitesh and Sumit made 94 tackle points |
| 3 | Cover depth | Medium | Reduce pressure on the corners |
UP Yoddhas Squad: Likely Core for Season 13
| Role | Likely Core Options |
|---|---|
| Lead raider | Gagana Gowda, or Guman Singh if retained |
| Support raiders | Bhavani Rajput, Shivam Chaudhary |
| Right corner | Hitesh |
| Left corner | Sumit (if retained) |
| Right cover | Ashu Singh (if retained) |
This is analysis based on Season 12 form and reported contracts, not an official line-up. For the franchise’s full outlook, visit the main UP Yoddhas team page.
UP Yoddhas Squad History
UP Yoddhas joined PKL in Season 5 as one of four expansion franchises. Under Jasveer Singh, they became regular playoff qualifiers, reaching the postseason five times in seven seasons, but they have not yet reached a final or won the title. In recent seasons, the club has qualified for the playoffs only once in three attempts. Season 13 starts a new chapter under Upendra Malik.
UP Yoddhas Key Milestones
| Season | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Season 5 (2017) | Joined as an expansion franchise |
| Seasons 6-12 | Coached by Jasveer Singh; playoffs five times in seven seasons |
| Season 12 (2025) | 9th in the league, missed the postseason |
| Season 13 (2026) | Upendra Malik promoted to head coach |
UP Yoddhas Squad by the Numbers: Season 12 Top Performers
The statistics show a UP Yoddhas squad whose young players often outperformed its senior names. That pattern is likely to shape how the new coaching team builds for Season 13.
| Player | Role | Matches | Key Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gagana Gowda | Right raider | 18 | 130 raid points |
| Bhavani Rajput | Raider | 17 | 77 raid points |
| Hitesh | Right corner | 18 | 48 tackle points |
| Sumit | Left corner | 18 | 46 tackle points |
| Shivam Chaudhary | Left raider | 15 | 41 raid points |
| Ashu Singh | Right cover | 18 | 32 tackle points |
What the Numbers Tell Us
The defence held up reasonably well, with the corners combining for 94 tackle points. The bigger problem was scoring. Outside Gagana Gowda, no raider passed 80 raid points, which made it hard to win close games. A second consistent raider would change UP’s results more than anything else.
UP Yoddhas Squad: Season 13 Timeline
| Step | Expected Timing | What It Means for Lucknow |
|---|---|---|
| Retention list | Before the auction | Decisions on Guman Singh and Surender Gill |
| Player auction | Reported for late October 2026, not confirmed | Upendra Malik’s first squad-building test |
| Squad announcement | After the auction | Final Season 13 roster |
| Season opener | Expected late December 2026 | The new era begins |
A New Kind of Rivalry
Season 13 adds an unusual twist: UP’s former coach Jasveer Singh now leads Patna Pirates. Any meeting between the two teams will see him face many of the players he developed, which gives that fixture extra intrigue for UP fans.
UP Yoddhas Squad Depth Chart by Position
The depth chart below shows a UP Yoddhas squad with good options in defence and promising young raiders, but no settled lead raider yet.
| Position | First Choice | Backup Options | Depth Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right raider | Gagana Gowda | Bhavani Rajput, Surender Gill | Good |
| Left raider | Shivam Chaudhary | Guman Singh, if retained | Fair |
| Right corner | Hitesh | Sahul Kumar | Strong |
| Left corner | Sumit | Jayesh Mahajan | Good |
| Right cover | Ashu Singh | Sachin | Good |
| Left cover | Gangaram | Auction target | Needs work |
The ratings are our analysis of Season 12 output and squad depth, not an official assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 13 been announced?
Not yet. The Season 13 squad will be confirmed after the official retention list and the player auction. This page shows the full Season 12 roster and players already tied to the club.
Who is the new UP Yoddhas coach?
Upendra Malik is the new head coach for Season 13. He was promoted after serving as UP’s assistant coach from Season 10 to Season 12.
Who was UP Yoddhas’ best raider in Season 12?
Young right raider Gagana Gowda led the team with 130 raid points in 18 matches.
Where did UP Yoddhas finish in Season 12?
They finished ninth with seven wins from 18 matches and a -65 score difference, one place outside the postseason.
Why did Jasveer Singh leave UP Yoddhas?
Jasveer Singh announced he was stepping down after UP’s final league match of Season 12. He coached the team from Season 6 and has since joined Patna Pirates as head coach.
Have UP Yoddhas ever won the PKL title?
No. UP Yoddhas joined in Season 5 and are still searching for their first PKL title.
Which UP Yoddhas players are reported to stay for Season 13?
Fan contract trackers report that Gagana Gowda, Shivam Chaudhary and Hitesh enter the second year of retained-young-player deals, and that Jatin continues as a young player, so all four would stay automatically.
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