UP announces a strong squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25; Rinku Singh named captain

Uttar Pradesh have unveiled their squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, with the dynamic Rinku Singh taking over the captaincy from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. This marks the first instance of Rinku leading a senior state team, following his successful stint as captain of the Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League earlier in the year, where he played a pivotal role in securing the title with 210 runs at a strike rate of 161.54.

Strategic timing for Rinku Singh’s leadership

Rinku’s appointment comes at an intriguing juncture, as his IPL team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), are currently considering leadership roles for the 2025 season. Having been with KKR since 2018 and retained in the recent mega auction, Rinku’s captaincy experience could play a significant role in his prospects for KKR’s leadership. His performance in this tournament will be closely watched, not only by fans but also by selectors eyeing the upcoming Champions Trophy in February, where Rinku aims to solidify his place in India’s ODI setup.

Uttar Pradesh’s campaign

The team kicks off its campaign with a match against Jammu and Kashmir on December 21 in Vizag. Following this, UP will face Mizoram on December 23, Tamil Nadu on December 26, Chhattisgarh on December 28, Chandigarh on December 31, and conclude their league stage matches against Vidarbha on January 3. This schedule sets the stage for UP to showcase their depth and strategy in the 50-over format.

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The squad composition

The Uttar Pradesh squad is a blend of experience and youthful talent, designed to challenge for the trophy. Here’s how the team looks:

• Rinku Singh (c) – The new captain, known for his finishing abilities in shorter formats.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar – A seasoned bowler, bringing experience to the bowling attack.
• Madhav Kaushik, Karan Sharma, Priyam Garg, Nitish Rana – Middle-order batsmen with the potential to anchor or accelerate innings.
• Abhishek Goswami, Akshadeep Nath, Aryan Juyal, Aradhya Yadav – Adding depth to the batting lineup and versatility.
• Saurabh Kumar, Kritagya Kumar Singh, Vipraj Nigam – Spinners who can dictate terms in the middle overs.
• Mohsin Khan, Shivam Mavi, Aquib Khan – Fast bowlers, looking to make an impact with pace and swing.
• Atal Behari Rai, Kartikya Jaiswal, Vineet Panwar – Young talents expected to make their mark.

Uttar Pradesh squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25

Rinku Singh (c), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Madhav Kaushik, Karan Sharma, Priyam Garg, Nitish Rana, Abhishek Goswami, Akshadeep Nath, Aryan Juyal, Aradhya Yadav, Saurabh Kumar, Kritagya Kumar Singh, Vipraj Nigam, Mohsin Khan, Shivam Mavi, Aquib Khan, Atal Behari Rai, Kartikya Jaiswal, Vineet Panwar

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