New Delhi: Suryakumar Yadav is likely to play for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East in their T20 match against the touring Ugandan side on May 30 in Mumbai.Uganda is currently touring Mumbai for four one-day matches and four T20 matches.
Uganda swept the four-match One Day series against the MCA Colts XI by a score of 4-0.
The T20 matches are played against four separate teams from the Mumbai T20 League, which begins on June 1.“He is part of the team, so he is likely to play,” MCA secretary Umesh Khanvilkar told reporters, according to news agency PTI.“He is the captain of India and whenever he plays against any team, it is a morale booster for any team and it will be a good cricket experience,” Khanvilkar added.The match between Triumph Knights Mommy North East and Uganda is expected to be played at the MCA Ground in Bandra Kurla Complex.Suryakumar was considered one of the breakout players in the maiden edition of the Mumbai T20 League in 2018. Triumph Knights has retained him as an icon player ahead of the auction of the fourth edition of the tournament.MCA president Ajinkya Naik said ICC president Jay Shah played a role in the agreement with Cricket Uganda.
“Under the leadership of Jay Shah, we were asked to host the Ugandan cricket team and we thought it was a great honor to host a national team here in Mumbai and for our Mumbai players to be able to get exposure against a national team,” Naik said.“The Uganda team can come and play matches here, anytime MC Alger needs to go and play in that country during our season or even when we have an off season.”Naik said the arrangement will help players outside the senior setup gain exposure.“Players who play for the first team or even the Indian national team, they have exposure. But those who are in the second or third line – MCA’s bench strength – need exposure. That’s why we (also) travel to the UK this year, for both the men’s and women’s teams, and this is an extra opportunity.”