LUCKNOW, Aug. 15 -- Youngsters like Zeeshan Ansari and Vipraj Nigam along with a few others would be expecting a turnaround in the 3rd edition of the UPTwenty20 League, starting Sunday at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium here as a good number of scouters would be spotting the talent for the next season of the cash-rich Indian Premier League. Lucknow's Ansari, a leg-spinner who had finished as highest wicket taker with 24 wickets, was bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 40 lakh in the 2024 mega auction. And this could be made possible only because of his superb performance in the UPT20 League. In his debut match against the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, he took three wickets, including those of Faf du Plessis, KL Rahul. Another leg spinner Nigam, who hails from Barabanki, debuted for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL as an all-rounder. He bats right-handed and bowls leg-spin and was acquired by DC for Rs 50 lakh in the last IPL mega auction. "The UPT20 League has been the biggest platform for the youngsters to showcase their talent and draw the attention of IPL franchises. In the last two seasons of the league, many cricketers from Uttar Pradesh were bought by the IPL franchise," said former UP skipper Gyanendra Pandey, who also happens to be the chief coach of the Kanpur Superstars in the UPT20L. Defending champions Meerut Mavericks will be taking on runner-up Kanpur Superstars in the opening match of the league, final of which will be played on September 6, The other four participating teams include Kashi Rudras, Gorakhpur Lions, Lucknow Falcons and Noida Super Kings. Meanwhile, the organising committee has announced that there is no change in the prize money of the event in its third edition as winners would continue to receive the biggest purse of Rs 1 crore. The runner-up will be richer by Rs 60 lakh, whereas the third and fourth place finishers will be receiving Rs 40 lakh each. The team finishing at the bottom of the table will also be getting Rs 30 lakh. Chairman, UPT20 League, DS Chauhan on Thursday said all the preparations have been completed for the successful conduct of the event. "Like in the past, we are committed to a smooth conduct of the event this time too," he said....