India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will be playing in the Buchi Babu Tournament for Mumbai as he informed the MCA committee chief Sanjay Patil on Wednesday evening. Right after Ishan Kishan decided to play in the Buchi Babu tournament, SKY featuring in the tournament raised the expectations for the tournament.
The Mumbai Cricket Association has named their 17-member squad for the tournament and also revealed that Yadav will be playing in the Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir game to be playing on August 27 in Salem.
The International star has stated that he won’t be leading the side, and the team will follow the standby captain Sarfaraz Khan. “I will be playing Buchi Babu tournament. It will give me a good practice session before the domestic season starts. I will join the team after the 25th. I’m always available to play for Mumbai and club team whenever free,” said Suryakumar Yadav.
“He has informed us that he is available to play in the Buchi Babu tournament and his name will be added to the Mumbai side. Surya has always turned up for Mumbai cricket whenever he is available. In fact, he is one of the few players who turn up for club matches in Mumbai maidaans,” a source in the MCA confirmed.
“We had asked Surya and he suggested that Sarfaraz should continue to lead and that he will play merely as a player,” a source added.
The Indian team won’t be playing any competitive games after the Sri Lanka series and many Indian players will be asked to play in the Duleep Trophy, scheduled to take place in September.
Suryakumar wasn’t picked for three ODI series against Sri Lanka as a senior national selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar had earlier stated that they are considering him only for T20Is.
“At this point, Surya is being seen just as a T20 player, not being considered for ODIs,” said Agarkar. The Buchi Babu tournament will be the season starter for domestic teams across the country. Many associations will test their bench strength ahead of the Ranji Trophy season.
