Uttar Pradesh appoint former India opener Sujith Somasundar as the Head Coach

Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has made mid-season changes to their coaching staff as the state association has roped in former India opener, Sujith Somasundar as Head Coach. In the other change, they have also decided to appoint Mansur Ali Khan as their fielding and bowling coach.

The association UPCA itself confirmed the news –

#UPCA has appointed following officials for Syed Mustaq Ali T-20 Trophy and Vijay Hazare Championship scheduled to be held in January and February, 2018
Mr. Sujith Somasundar – Head Coach
Mr. Mansur Ali Khan – Fielding and Bowling Coach. pic.twitter.com/9saSaH75oK

— UPCA (@UPCACricket) December 28, 2017

Somasundar will replace Mritunjay Tripathi as the Head Coach of the side. Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy team had a poor season under him as the Suresh Raina led side could not even win a single game in 2017/18 season. Skipper Raina himself failed to deliver and just scored 105 runs in the tournament.

Both Somasundar and Mansur Ali Khan will perform their duties for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Somasundar, a veteran of 99 first-class games, played a total of two ODIs and opened the innings with Sachin Tendulkar on both the occasions. He retired from the first-class format in 20007. On the other hand, Mansur Ali Khan played 24 first-class and 22 List A games for Karnataka. He has also been part of Karnataka coaching staff. He retired from the first-class format in 2008.

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This is second change in UPCA’s coaching staff as before the start of the season, former India all-rounder, Manoj Prabhakar, decided to leave the UP camp and resigned from the post of Chief Coach. He is currently the bowling coach Delhi, who have qualified for the finals of the Ranji Trophy.

UPCA is yet to announce the squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Suresh Raina, who is looking to make a comeback in the national side, is expected to be retained as captain. The state association had already released a list of probables even before the start of the Ranji Trophy season. Praveen Kumar was a member of only the One-day squad and is expected to play in the T20 trophy as well.

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The T20 tournament is an opportunity for the players to attract IPL franchises as BCCI had decided to prepone the staging of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy before the IPL auctions. Though Chennai Super Kings has confirmed Raina’s signing, other players like Sarfraz Khan, Praveen Kumar and few others will look to perform in the T20 trophy to attract IPL franchise. Praveen Kumar was a member of Gujarat Lions in the last season and also played few games for the franchise.

Safraz, on the other hand, was a member of Royal Challengers Bangalore but was ruled out for the full season due to an injury. He was replaced by Harpreet Singh Bhatia.

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