India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav likely to play against Uganda in Mumbai

NEW DELHI: Suryakumar Yadav is likely to play for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East in a T20 match against the Uganda’s touring side on May 30 in Mumbai.Uganda are currently touring Mumbai for four one-day matches and four T20 games. Uganda swept the four-match One Day series against MCA Colts XI 4-0. The T20 matches are being played against four separate 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, as quoted by news agency PTI.“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,” Khanvilkar added.The match between Triumph Knights Mumbai North East and Uganda is expected to be held at the MCA Ground in Bandra Kurla Complex.Suryakumar was considered one of the standout players from the first edition of the T20 Mumbai League in 2018. He was retained as an icon player by Triumph Knights ahead of the auction for the fourth edition of the tournament.MCA president Ajinkya Naik said ICC chairman Jay Shah played a role in the agreement with Cricket Uganda.“Under the leadership of 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 said the arrangement would help players outside the senior setup gain exposure.“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.”