The inaugural edition of the Ultimate Kricket Challenge [ UKC ], a first of its kind indoor cricket tournament, starts on December 24 with some of the biggest players in world cricket – retired and active – set to go head-to-head in a one v one format.

A total of 13 matches will be played in the league stage of the UKC cricket tournament, with the top four players making it to the semifinals. The two semi-finals and a final, scheduled for January 1, 2021 to complete the 16-match tournament. Each match will consist of four innings of 15 deliveries with two players going head to head.

A unique scoring system will be used for UKC – five zones, from A to E, have been designated with each carrying a certain run weightage. Zones A & B carry a run each, C gets the players two runs, D three while E gives four and six depending upon whether the ball hits the zone directly or on the bounce. There is another twist to run distribution. A batsman will be awarded 12 runs and an extra delivery if hits the area right behind the bowler, called ‘Bullseye’.

Yuvraj Singh, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, Rashid Khan, Andre Russell and Eoin Morgan – six modern-day greats of white-ball cricket will feature in the tournament. They will be called ‘UKC contenders’ and along with them, a fielder and a wicketkeeper will be present in the arena during a match.

The UKC contenders are allowed to bowl eight deliveries per innings with a sub-player bowling the remaining seven. Reports suggest that a few cricketers might make surprise appearances in the tournament as well.

Six global superstars – @YUVSTRONG12, @KP24, @henrygayle, @Eoin16, @Russell12A & @rashidkhan_19 pad-up for this one-of-a-kind #UltimateKricketChallenge that reinvents Cricket in a gladiatorial style!@UltimateKricket starts 24th Dec on the Star Sports network and Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/tOLgV5scHv

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 15, 2020

Here are the six players, known as UKC contenders, who will be part of the inaugural edition of the unique cricket tournament.

Find the live telecast and streaming details of UKC 2020 here.

Find the full schedule and fixtures of the UKC 2020 here.

UKC players (UKC contenders)

Yuvraj Singh: One of the most destructive white-ball batsmen of all time and only one of only two to hit six sixes off an over in international cricket, Yuvraj’s campaign will be eagerly followed by Indian cricket fans.

Kevin Pietersen: Fans will be able to watch Pietersen in action more than two years after his last appearance at the top level, which came in the Pakistan Super League for Quetta Gladiators.

Chris Gayle: The Universe Boss showed in the IPL earlier this year that he can still be a force to reckon with, even at 41 years of age. One of the biggest brands in the sport, Gayle’s presence is sure to boost the tournament’s popularity even more.

Rashid Khan: With UKC contenders allowed to bowl eight of the 15 deliveries in an innings, Rashid holds the upper hand with the ball. We all know he can deliver some meaty blows with the bat too.

Andre Russell: After a sub-par IPL that was riddled with injuries, Russell returned to form at the Lanka Premier League, and bowled extensively too. Russell v Gayle is one to watch out for.

Eoin Morgan: Completing the line up is England’s ODI World Cup-winning captain. Morgan took a special liking to Afghanistan and Rashid in the World Cup last year, hitting 17 sixes in a record-breaking knock of 148. That makes Morgan v Rashid a contest to watch out too.