Lucknow: The Indian Premier League commissioner, Rajiv Shukla on Saturday exuded confidence that in the days to come players of Uttar Pradesh would dominate Indian cricket.
Speaking at a function organised by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to felicitate players from the state, who were a part of the Indian squad that lifted the World Cup in April this year, Shukla said that they have proved the mettle of the state at the international level.
"In view of the emergence of the cricketing talent in the state it can be said that in days to come they would have a dominating role in the national side," Shukla said.
"There are several promising players from the state who are contributing in the teams of other states as well," he added.
Regretting that there had been a time when except for Gopal Sharma and Gyanendra Pandey, none of the players could make it to the national team, Shukla said that it was much later that players made a mark at the national and international levels.
Heaping praise on Suresh Raina, Shukla said that he went on to show his class and got a chance to lead the team.
"Now he has the opportunity of also becoming regular captain," said Shukla, who is also the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs.
Shukla also requested the UP government to get the repair and other works at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur completed at the earliest so that international matches could be held again.
He said that steps were being taken to promote women`s cricket.
Suresh Raina, Piyush Chawla and Praveen Kumar, who were presented with cheques of Rs 4 lakh each on the occasion, thanked UPCA and said that honours like this boost the morales of players.
Besides them, emerging fast bowler Sudip Tyagi was also presented with a cheque of Rs 1 lakh.
PTI
