India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is likely to turn out for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East in a T20 match against the visiting Uganda side on May 30, adding significant star power to the ongoing tour ahead of the upcoming T20 Mumbai League season.
The Uganda national team is currently touring Mumbai for a multi-format series comprising four one-day matches and four T20s. In the shortest format, Uganda will face four different teams from the T20 Mumbai League, which begins on June 1.
“He is a part of the team, so he is likely to play,” MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar told reporters during the announcement of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding between the Mumbai Cricket Association and Cricket Uganda.
“He is the Indian captain, and whenever he plays against any team, it is a morale-booster. It is going to be a great cricketing experience for them,” he added.
The May 30 clash between Triumph Knights Mumbai North East and Uganda will be played at the MCA Ground in the Bandra Kurla Complex and is expected to be one of the marquee fixtures of the tour.
Suryakumar, widely regarded as one of the biggest success stories from the inaugural T20 Mumbai League in 2018, has been retained by Triumph Knights as their icon player ahead of the player auction for the tournament’s fourth edition.
MCA president Ajinkya Naik revealed that ICC chairman Jay Shah played a key role in facilitating the collaboration with Cricket Uganda.
“Under the leadership of Mr Jay Shah, he had requested us to host the Uganda cricket team. We felt it was a privilege to host a national side in Mumbai and provide our players with exposure against an international team,” Naik said.
“The Uganda team can come and play matches here, and similarly, MCA teams can also travel there during our off-season,” he added.
Naik further stressed the importance of exposure opportunities for emerging Mumbai cricketers.
“The players already representing Mumbai senior teams or India have enough exposure. But those in the second and third line — the bench strength of MCA — also need opportunities. That is one of the reasons we are touring the UK this year with both men’s and women’s teams. This Uganda series adds another valuable opportunity,” he said.
