India T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav is expected to play for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East (TKMNE) in a T20 match against the Ugandan cricket team on May 30.
Currently, the Ugandan team is playing four one-day matches and as many Twenty20 matches in Mumbai. They are playing T20 matches against four different opponents from the T20 Mumbai League, which starts on June 1 in Mumbai.
“He is a part of the team so he is likely to play. He is the Indian captain and whenever he plays against any team, it is a morale-booster for any team and it is going to be a good cricket experience,” PTI quoted MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar telling reporters in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The MCA Ground in the Bandra Kurla Complex in North West Mumbai is anticipated to host the match between TKMNE and Uganda on May 30.
Suryakumar, one of the players considered the “finds” of the 2018 T20 Mumbai League, was kept as an iconic member of the Triumph Knights before the tournament’s fourth auction.
ICC chairman Jay Shah was involved in the deal with Cricket Uganda, according to MCA president Ajinkya Naik.
“Under the leadership of Mr Jay Shah, he had requested us to host the Uganda cricket team and we thought it is a great privilege to host a national team here in Mumbai and for our Mumbai players to get an exposure against a national team,” Naik said.
“The Uganda team can come and play matches here, and whenever MCA needs to go and play in that country during our season or even when we have our off season.”
Naik continued, “The players who are playing for the senior team or even the Indian team, they have the exposure. But those who are in the second or third line – the bench strength of MCA – they need exposure. That’s the reason why we are (also) travelling to the UK this year, both men’s and women’s teams, and this is an additional opportunity.”
