Suryakumar Yadav to play Buchi Babu tournament for Mumbai, requests selectors to continue with Sarfaraz Khan as captain

India’s T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav will be playing in the Buchi Babu invitational cricket tournament for the Mumbai team. The Indian Express understands that Yadav informed Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) selection committee chief Sanjay Patil on Wednesday evening about his availability and desire to play the tournament. The Mumbai team is currently led by Sarfaraz Khan and the tournament is scheduled to kick start from August 15.

“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.

The selection committee had already picked a 17-members squad and it is learnt that Yadav will be playing the Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir game to be played in Salem from September 27. Yadav though won’t be leading the Mumbai side.

“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. Yadav wasn’t picked for three ODI’s series against Sri Lanka as senior national selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar had earlier stated that they are considering him only for T20I’s. “At this point, Surya is being seen just as a T20 player, not being considered for ODIs,” said Agarkar.

Buchi Babu tournament is traditionally a season-starter for domestic teams across the country. Many associations take part to test their bench strength ahead of the forthcoming Ranji Trophy season.

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