UPCA’s board has decided to split its leadership between the red‑ball and white‑ball formats, appointing wicket‑keeper‑batter Aryan Juyal to steer the Ranji team while Karan Sharma takes the helm for the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali trophies. The decision, backed by chairman Praveen Kumar of the senior men’s selection committee, comes with a fresh coaching crew: Gyanendra Pandey for Ranji, and Sudip Tyagi plus Arvind Kapoor for the white‑ball side.
A 10‑player squad has been unveiled for the upcoming season, featuring Yash Dayal’s long‑awaited return to first‑class cricket, Kartik Tyagi who was part of the India T20I squad in Japan, and rookie Abhinandan Singh, who debuted in the IPL for RCB. Veteran leg‑spinner Zeeshan Ansari also re‑enters the fold after a six‑year break, having last played a Ranji match in 2020.
The split captaincy marks a first for Uttar Pradesh, aiming to give each format bespoke attention and coaching. “We’re tailoring leadership and expertise to the distinct demands of red‑ball and white‑ball cricket,” said Pandey, who has a wealth of experience with the state’s Ranji side. “This should elevate our competitiveness across all tournaments.”
The 2026‑27 Ranji Trophy season will start on 11 October, with UP opening against Bihar at the newly built Rajgir International Stadium. The teams will look to test the new leadership structure in a high‑stakes opener as the state gears up to challenge for the title.