UP derailed, top 5 may join Rlys

Shalabh Srivastava, Praveen Kumar, Shivakant Shukla sign up already

Like their meteoric rise two years ago, Uttar Pradesh’s slide too has been dramatic. After winning the Ranji title in 2005-2006, they survived relegation last year and with just months to go for the new season, another crisis seems to have gripped the team.

Five of UP’s main players — medium-pacer Shalabh Srivastava, all-rounder Praveen Kumar, left-handed batsman Shivakant Shukla, left-arm spinner Praveen Gupta and wicket-keeper Aamir Khan — are likely to turn out for Railways when the domestic season begins in November.

While Srivastava, Praveen and Shukla have already been recruited, Gupta and Aamir have applied and are waiting for appointment letters.

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Confirming this, Railways coach Vinod Sharma said, “Shalabh Srivastava and Shivakant Shukla have got jobs and I have heard that Praveen Kumar, too, has been recruited.” When asked if they will play for Railways, Sharma said, “For that, we have to wait for the selection meeting in September.”

Srivastava and Praveen, the star performers for UP in that dream season of 2005, wouldn’t have much problem making it to the Railways XI. As for the rest, they will have to be available in case their new employers need their services. But the fact remains that they will be playing in the Plate division as Railways missed promotion last year.

Although the players haven’t given the reason for switching to Railways, job security and UP’s cricket politics seem to have been the driving force. With skipper Mohammad Kaif expecting an India comeback, and old-timers Rizwan Shamshad and Ashish Winston Zaidi contemplating retirement, UP’s disintegration is on the cards. “We will have a challenge to revive the Ranji champion team,” the player admitted.