UPL Constitution

1. 1.1 The tournament shall be called UPL Season 2.
2. 1.2 UPL Season 2 shall be conducted on the HITWICKET platform / app.
3. 1.3 The tournament is an online cricket league regulated by UPL Management.
4. 1.4 The exact schedule shall be announced by UPL Management.
5. 1.5 The format of the league shall be Single Round Robin.
6. 1.6 There will be 10 City Franchises, same as UPL Season 1.
7. 1.7 Breaks will be provided during league round.
8. 1.8 Each player must use only their own HITWICKET ID; sharing IDs is prohibited.
9. 1.9 Multiple awards and rewards will be distributed at the end of the tournament.
10. 1.10 UPL Management consists of:
    • Board Members
    • Referee
    • Assistant Referee (Selected By Franchise Captains)

1. 2.1 All matches in UPL Season 2 shall be played on the HITWICKET platform.
2. 2.2 Each match shall follow a 24-hour match window.
   • The 24-hour match window shall run from 00:00:00 IST to 23:59:59 IST on the same calendar day.
   • This period shall be divided into three (3) shifts of eight (8) hours each, used for penalty calculation & enforcement:
   SHIFT 1

   00:00:00 — 08:00:00

   SHIFT 2

   08:00:00 — 16:00:00

   SHIFT 3

   16:00:00 — 23:59:59
3. 2.3 A match must be:
   • Initiated
   • Completed
   • Data Entered on UPL website
   … within the same 24-hour window.
4. 2.4 In case disputes arise between players or Franchises, Referee’s decision shall be final.
5. 2.5 Any dispute for incomplete match will be resolved through the DLS System.
6. 2.6 Failure to complete a match within the stipulated time may result in:
   • Penalty points
   • Match forfeiture
   (subject to UPL Management decision).

3.1 — Qualification for Playoffs

• At the conclusion of the league stage, franchises shall be ranked according to the points table.
• A Special Match (FAIR PLAY SHOWDOWN) shall be conducted between the city with the highest Fair Play Points and the city with the lowest Penalty Points (Penalty City Saver).
• This Fair Play Showdown shall be played prior to the Playoffs.
• After completion of the Fair Play Showdown, the top four (4) franchises on the final points table shall qualify for the Playoffs.

3.2 — Playoff Format

3.3 — Champion

The winner of the Grand Final shall be declared the CHAMPION OF THE TOURNAMENT — “UPL SEASON 2”

3.4 — Playoff Match Format

Match format and points rules during playoffs shall remain same as league stage, unless explicitly modified by UPL Management.

4.1 — Win and Lose

• Each of the 10 matches played by a franchise shall be treated as independent matches.

• All tier matches carry equal weightage.
• League standings shall be determined by total points accumulated across all tier matches.

4.2 — Tie Breaker Rules

1. In the event that two or more cities are tied on the points table at completion of the League Stage and Fair Play Showdown:
   • Each city shall nominate one best player from each tier.
   • The nominated players shall compete in one (1) match per tier.
   • The city winning the maximum number of such matches shall be ranked higher on the points table.
2. If the tie still persists, each city shall nominate one (1) best overall player for a final deciding match.
3. The results of the tie-breaker matches shall be used exclusively for ranking purposes.
4. No points shall be awarded, deducted, or otherwise adjusted in the points table as a result of any tie-breaker match.
5. Decision of Referee and UPL Management is final.

1. 5.1 All players and franchise captains, whether returning from UPL Season 1 or newly participating in UPL Season 2, shall register on the official UPL website.
2. 5.2 Registration on the official UPL website shall be mandatory for participation in any capacity.
3. 5.3 No player shall be eligible to enter the auction, be selected by any franchise, or participate in any match without successful registration.
4. 5.4 Only players with an OVR exceeding 90 shall be eligible to register and participate in UPL Season 2.
5. 5.5 Registration fees:
   Franchise Captain

   Rs. 500

   Details in §16.5

   Participant (Player)

   Rs. 100

   Per registration
6. 5.6 Registration fees shall be payable at the time of registration only.
7. 5.7 Registration shall not guarantee selection, auction success, or participation in any match.
8. 5.8 No refund shall be issued if a player withdraws, quits, or leaves the tournament at any stage after registration.
9. 5.9 Only Unsold players shall receive a full refund within 1 week after completion of the auction process.

1. 6.1 At the time of registration, each player shall select a maximum of twenty (20) Hitwicket characters.
2. 6.2 Each player shall mandatorily select a minimum of eleven (11) Hitwicket characters, comprising six (6) Batsmen and five (5) Bowlers.
3. 6.3 Use of any character not included in the registered list shall be strictly prohibited.
4. 6.4 No duplicate character shall be allowed in UPL Season 2. A player may register and use any Hitwicket character only once in their registered character list and playing 11 squad. Use of duplicate characters in any match shall be treated as a rule violation and may result in penalty points and match forfeiture.
5. 6.5 Any character, feature, or gameplay element introduced by Hitwicket after the official declaration of the tournament shall not be eligible for use during the ongoing tournament.
6. 6.6 In the event of such a violation:
   • penalty points shall be imposed on the city/franchise of the offending player; and
   • UPL Management shall have the full right and discretion to disqualify the player from the tournament.
7. 6.7 Upon submission of the registration form, no player shall be permitted to add, remove, or modify the list of selected characters.
8. 6.8 The registered team (character list) shall be deemed final and binding for the entire tournament.
9. 6.9 Players shall be permitted to star-up their registered characters during the tournament.
10. 6.10 Any star-up must be:
    • Informed to the Match Referee and/or the official Captain’s group
    • Updated on the official UPL website
11. 6.11 A star-upped character may be used in a match only after the completion of twenty-four (24) hours from the time of such notification and website update.

1. 7.1 Each Captain may retain players from their existing team as per franchise discretion, subject to the auction rules.
2. 7.2 Each franchise will have a total purse of 120 Crore UPL Credits for UPL Season 2.
3. 7.3 Retained player’s value will be deducted from the franchise purse.
4. 7.4 The last date for declaration of retained players will be the final date of registration for UPL Season 2.
5. 7.5 No retention requests will be accepted after this deadline.

1. 8.1 The UPL Season 2 Auction shall be conducted exclusively on the official UPL website.
2. 8.2 Only registered and eligible players shall be listed in the auction pool.
3. 8.3 Auction order shall be decided by a random draw.
4. 8.4 The base auction purse for each franchise shall be 120 Crore UPL Credits.
5. 8.5 The available auction purse for each franchise during the auction will be the remaining amount after deducting the value of retained players from the total 120 Crore UPL Credits.
6. 8.6 If all other captains have completed their selections in any tier (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) and only one captain remains, then that captain must mandatorily accept the player(s) currently displayed on the screen for that tier. The captain will not be allowed to choose any other player from the remaining list for that tier.
7. 8.7 Auction will be accessible for viewing live by all participants on UPL website.
8. 8.8 All auction-related decisions made by UPL Management shall be final and binding.

9.1 — Squad Structure & Tier Distribution

1. Each franchise shall have a total squad of 14 players, including the Captain.
2. The squad must be structured as follows:

Each franchise must maintain exactly:

• 10 Players — Playing X
• 4 Players — Reserve players (1 per tier)

The 14-player squad registered after the auction shall be final. No player replacement from outside the registered squad will be permitted under any circumstances. If any player leaves, withdraws, becomes inactive, or exits the tournament midway, the franchise must manage with the remaining registered squad members only.

9.2 — Reserve Player Substitution Rules

• Each franchise shall have one (1) Reserve Player per Tier:
  • 1 Platinum Reserve
  • 1 Gold Reserve
  • 1 Silver Reserve
  • 1 Bronze Reserve
• Reserve players may replace only players from the same tier, except under the Multiple Player Unavailability Rule (Section 9.3).
• There shall be no limit on the number of matches a reserve player may play.
• Reserve usage is permitted only for match participation and shall not alter the defined 14-player squad structure.
• A reserve player may replace a Playing X member from the same tier under the following conditions:
  • Player non-availability
  • Tactical decision by the captain
  • Player rest or rotation
  • Player withdrawal from the tournament
• Substitutions must be declared before the start of the match.
• Once substituted, the reserve player shall be treated as an official Playing X member for that match/day only.
• Frequent or suspicious substitutions may be reviewed by UPL Management.

9.3 — Multiple Player Unavailability Rule

If more than one player becomes unavailable:

• One player unavailable → Replacement from same-tier reserve
• Two or more players unavailable:
  • First replacement from same-tier reserve
  • Second replacement from one tier below
• Further replacements shall continue one tier lower, if applicable.
• All such cases shall remain subject to UPL Management approval.

1. 10.1 UPL Season 2 shall strictly follow a Tier-Based Fixture System.
2. 10.2 Each franchise shall compete against opposing franchises within the same tier only.
3. 10.3 Cross-tier matches are strictly prohibited, except in circumstances expressly permitted under Section 9.3 (Multiple Player Unavailability Rule).
4. 10.4 Fixtures shall be scheduled strictly as:
   Platinum vs Platinum

   Gold vs Gold

   Silver vs Silver

   Bronze vs Bronze
5. 10.5 In case Section 9.3 is invoked due to multiple player unavailability:
   • Replacement from one tier below shall be allowed only as per the defined fallback order.
   • Such cross-tier participation shall be treated as valid and shall not be considered a tier violation.
6. 10.6 Fielding an ineligible player, wrong-tier player, or violating the tier structure outside the scope of Section 9.3 shall result in:
   • Match forfeiture; and/or
   • Imposition of heavy penalty points
   (Decision shall rest solely with UPL Management.)

11.1 — Official 63-Character Points Chart

The complete Hitwicket character roster used for UPL Season 2. Each character's strength points are pre-defined at every star variant (Reliable, Brilliant, World Class, Legendary). A player's Best 11 (top 6 batters + top 5 bowlers by points) determines their tier classification.

• The chart above lists the complete official character roster with strength points at every star level.
• Any player owning at least one Exclusive character is auto-classified as Platinum tier, regardless of Best 11 total.
• The points table is locked once the tournament commences; star-ups are tracked separately and apply to a player's owned characters only.
• If a variant shows —, that character does not exist at that star level in Hitwicket.

11.2 — Tier Classification Criteria

• Player total OVR must be minimum 90 at the time of registration.
• Tier classification once determined shall remain fixed for the entire tournament.

12.1 — Fair Play Points Rules

1. Maximum 25 Fair Play points may be earned per day per city.
2. All matches must be completed and data entered on UPL website before 23:59:59 hours daily.
3. Failure in timely data entry:
   • 2 Fair Play points deducted per delayed entry
   • Maximum daily deduction: 20 points
4. Playing X for the following day must be shared before 10:00 PM IST.
   • Compliance: +5 Fair Play points
   • Non-compliance: 0 points

12.2 — Penalty Points Rules

Any violation of rules not specifically mentioned above may also attract 2 to 5 penalty points or other disciplinary action, as determined by the Referee and UPL Management based on the severity of the violation. The Referee’s decision in such matters shall be final and binding.

13.1 — Purpose

To reward discipline and sportsmanship, one Special Match shall be conducted after completion of the League Stage.

13.2 — Eligibility

1. Fair Play City Topper — City with highest total Fair Play points.
2. Penalty Saver City — City with lowest total penalty points.

If the same city qualifies in both categories, that city shall retain its position as the Fair Play City Topper, and the city ranked second in the Penalty Saver category (i.e., the city with the next lowest total penalty points) shall qualify as the Penalty Saver City.

13.3 — Match Format

• Conducted as a separate official match day.
• Played under standard UPL match rules.
• Independent of regular fixtures but affects final standings.

13.4 — Points Allocation

These points shall be applied after Fair Play and Penalty adjustments.

13.5 — Impact on Points Table

Final League Points shall be calculated in the following order:

13.6 — Tie in Fair Play / Penalty Tables

If tie occurs:

1. Higher number of match wins
2. If still tied — fewer losses
3. If still tied — head-to-head result
4. Final decision rests with UPL Management

This final figure shall determine Playoff qualification. UPL Management reserves full authority to decide eligibility, resolve disputes, interpret these rules, and take final decisions regarding the Fair Play Showdown, and all such decisions shall be final and binding.

1. 14.1 If a franchise / player fails to play any of its scheduled tier matches within the defined 24-hour match window without valid justification:
   • The unplayed match(es) shall be treated as a loss for the defaulting franchise or player.
   • The opposing franchise shall be awarded 2 points per affected match.
   • Additional penalty points may be imposed based on severity and intent.
2. 14.2 Intentional delay, avoidance of stronger tiers, or repeated no-shows may invite stricter disciplinary action, including match forfeiture or further penalties, at the discretion of UPL Management.
3. 14.3 Failure to respond to the opponent for two (2) consecutive shifts (16 hrs) shall result in the match being awarded as a loss to the non-responsive player, along with the imposition of penalty points.

All decisions regarding walkovers and forfeitures shall be final and binding.

1. 15.1 In case of technical issues such as:
   • HITWICKET server downtime
   • App glitches or match loading failures
   • Disconnections beyond player control
2. 15.2 The affected franchise must provide valid proof including screenshots or screen recordings, to substantiate the claim.
3. 15.3 Upon verification, UPL Management shall have the authority to decide one of the following:
   • Granting a time extension
   • Ordering a replay
   • Declaring a result based on available evidence (DLS formula)
   • Awarding a walkover
4. 15.4 For a match result to be considered valid and final, once the match data must be accurately entered on the official UPL website within the stipulated time.
5. 15.5 In case of dispute, any of the following may be demanded:
   • HITWICKET result screen screenshot
   • Screen recording or video proof
6. 15.6 Any of the following actions shall be treated as serious violations:
   • Submission of false or misleading technical claims
   • Tampering or manipulation of match data
   • Use of fake or edited screenshots/videos
7. 15.7 Each participant must use only their own genuine HITWICKET ID. Multiple players operating, sharing, or participating through the same HITWICKET ID is strictly prohibited. If two or more players are found using a single HITWICKET account/ID:
   • All such players shall be disqualified from the tournament.
   • All matches already played by such players, as well as all remaining scheduled matches, shall be treated as losses.
8. 15.8 Such violations may result in penalty points, match forfeiture, or player disqualification, as determined by UPL Management.
9. 15.9 All decisions taken under this section shall be final and binding.

1. 16.1 Each franchise captain shall be fully responsible for:
   • Team communication and coordination
   • Timely submission of Playing X
   • Match completion within the match window
   • Correct and timely data entry
   • Discipline and conduct of team players
2. 16.2 Franchise captains shall be responsible for ensuring that all players of their franchise participate only through their own genuine HITWICKET IDs. Any violation involving shared, operated, or multi-user HITWICKET accounts/IDs may result in player disqualification and disciplinary action against the franchise.
3. 16.3 If any team member is found participating in a wrong tier match outside the scope of Section 9.3, it shall be the responsibility of the franchise captain. Such violation may result in penalty points or disciplinary action against the captain and/or franchise.
4. 16.4 Any violation by a team player shall be deemed the responsibility of the franchise captain, unless otherwise decided by UPL Management.
5. 16.5 The registration fee for a Franchise Captain shall be Rs. 500. This fee shall include:
   • Participation in UPL Season 2
   • Ownership and captaincy rights of the selected franchise for the current season and 2 upcoming seasons.
   • Participation fees for subsequent seasons shall be charged separately, as per the applicable fee structure of that respective season.
6. 16.6 Failure to register or pay the required fee for a subsequent season may result in:
   • Loss of captaincy rights; and
   • Release of the franchise for reassignment or auction, as decided by UPL Management.

1. 17.1 In the event of unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to:
   • Platform-wide outages
   • Technical failures
   • Administrative emergencies
2. 17.2 UPL Management reserves the right to:
   • Pause the tournament
   • Reschedule matches
   • Modify timelines
3. 17.3 Such actions shall not be considered a change of core rules.

• No core gameplay, auction, or points rules shall be modified after the auction process is completed.
• UPL Management may, however, introduce minor operational clarifications if required for smooth execution, with proper communication to all franchises.
• The interpretation of rules by UPL Management shall be final and binding.

In the event of any situation, dispute, or circumstance not expressly provided for under this Constitution or the Season Rulebook, UPL Management shall have full authority to take appropriate decisions to ensure fair conduct of the league, and such decisions shall be final and binding.