Veteran Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been announced as the captain of Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25, set to be played from November 23 to December 15. This will mark an important leadership shift for the team, as star batter Rinku Singh, who captained UP in last year’s tournament, will now play under Bhuvneshwar’s guidance. With his vast international experience and tactical acumen, Bhuvneshwar’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to boost UP’s chances in the highly competitive T20 tournament.

Leadership change: From Rinku Singh to Bhuvneshwar Kumar

In the previous SMAT season, Rinku led Uttar Pradesh and showcased his leadership skills. However, the team’s performance under his captaincy saw them narrowly miss the knockout stages. This year, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has entrusted Bhuvneshwar with the responsibility of captaincy, aiming to leverage his extensive experience in both domestic and international cricket.

Rinku remains a key player in the squad and is expected to play a pivotal role, particularly in the middle order. Madhav Kaushik, a consistent performer in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with 346 runs in five innings, has been named vice-captain. His presence strengthens the leadership group, complementing Bhuvneshwar’s bowling expertise with batting insights.

Star-studded players for SMAT 2024

The Uttar Pradesh squad is packed with talent, featuring several prominent names:

• Rinku Singh: Known for his finishing abilities and recent IPL heroics.
• Nitish Rana: An experienced all-rounder and IPL stalwart.
• Yash Dayal: A rising left-arm pacer retained by Gujarat Titans in IPL.
• Piyush Chawla: The veteran leg-spinner adds depth and experience.
• Shivam Mavi and Mohsin Khan: Promising young pacers with IPL experience.

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Group C challenges and schedule

Uttar Pradesh are placed in Group C alongside Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Manipur, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Jharkhand. The team will play all their matches in Mumbai, beginning their campaign against Delhi at the Wankhede Stadium on November 23.

Bhuvneshwar is no stranger to captaincy, having led Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on multiple occasions. While his IPL leadership stint yielded mixed results, his strategic mind and ability to perform under pressure make him an ideal leader for UP. His recent release from SRH ahead of the IPL 2025 auction provides an opportunity for him to focus entirely on this domestic season and contribute to UP’s success.

UP’s SMAT history and aspirations

Uttar Pradesh have a rich history in the SMAT, having won the trophy in 2015-16 under Suresh Raina and finishing as runners-up in 2013-14. Last season, under Rinku’s leadership, UP finished second in their group with three wins in six matches, but a loss to Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh hurt their qualification chances. With Bhuvneshwar at the helm, the team aims to improve on last year’s results and make a strong push for their second title. The combination of Bhuvneshwar’s experience, Rinku’s finishing skills, and a well-rounded squad makes UP one of the teams to watch in this edition.

Uttar Pradesh squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (C), Madhav Kaushik (VC), Karan Sharma, Rinku Singh, Nitish Rana, Sameer Rizvi, Swastik Chikara, Priyam Garg, Aryan Juyal, Aditya Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Vipraj Nigam, Kartikeya Jaiswal, Shivam Sharma, Yash Dayal, Mohsin Khan, Aaqib Khan, Shivam Mavi, Vineet Panwar.

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