Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been appointed as the captain of the Uttar Pradesh cricket team for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25, which is set to commence on November 23, 2024.
This leadership change marks a significant transition for the team, as Bhuvneshwar takes over from Rinku Singh, who previously captained the side.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Lead UP
The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has entrusted Bhuvneshwar Kumar with this important role, recognizing his extensive experience in T20 cricket.
With a remarkable record of 299 wickets in 286 T20 matches, including 90 wickets in 86 T20 Internationals, Bhuvneshwar’s expertise is expected to be pivotal for the team’s performance in the tournament.
His leadership is anticipated to enhance the squad’s chances of securing their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, having previously won it in the 2015-16 season under Suresh Raina.
Madhav Kaushik, a promising young batter, has been named vice-captain. At just 26 years old, Kaushik has shown consistent form in domestic cricket and is expected to complement Bhuvneshwar’s leadership with his batting insights.
The UPCA announced a strong 19-member squad that features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent. Key players include Rinku Singh, Nitish Rana, Yash Dayal, Piyush Chawla, Sameer Rizvi, and Swastik Chikara.
Uttar Pradesh Squad For SMAT 2024
UP Squad: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (captain), Madhav Kaushik (vice-captain), Karan Sharma, Rinku Singh, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Swastik Chikara, Priyam Garg, Aryan Juyal, Aaditya Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Vipraj Nigam, Kartikeya Jaiswal, Shivam Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mohsin Khan, Aaqib Khan, Shivam Mavi and Vineet Panwar
Group C Challenges in SMAT 2024
Uttar Pradesh has been placed in Group C, where they will compete against teams such as Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, and Jharkhand.
All matches will be held in Mumbai, with their opening match against Delhi scheduled at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina expressed confidence in Bhuvneshwar’s leadership and the team’s potential to perform well. He noted that local players often bring extra motivation when representing their state, which can lead to improved performances.
Also Read: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024: Shreyas Iyer To Lead Mumbai, Full Squad, Schedule
