In a first, Uttar Pradesh opt for split captaincy and coaching for upcoming domestic season

Aryan Juyal (left) will lead Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy and Karan Sharma in Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. (Agencies)

NEW DELHI: In a first, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is set to adopt a split captaincy and coaching model for the upcoming domestic season, with a separate set of coaches and captains overseeing the red-ball and white-ball teams.Wicketkeeper-batter Aryan Juyal will lead Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy, whereas Karan Sharma will captain the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy teams, respectively. Similarly, former India spinner and Uttar Pradesh veteran Gyanendra Pandey will coach the Ranji Trophy team, while India speedster Sudip Tyagi and Arvind Kapoor will be at the helm for the white-ball team.

TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the UPCA chairman of the senior men's cricket selection committee, Praveen Kumar, suggested the move.

It is aimed at bringing greater focus to the distinct demands of the two formats and strengthen Uttar Pradesh's performances across competitions.

Yash Dayal returns

Yash Dayal is set to return to Uttar Pradesh's Ranji Trophy setup, ending a prolonged period away from competitive cricket. He is being included in the Uttar Pradesh Ranji Trophy squad.

Yash Dayal (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

Apart from Dayal, Kartik Tyagi, who was with the Indian T20I team in Japan for the Asian Games, has also made the cut.

Abhinandan Singh, who made his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has also earned a maiden first-class call-up.Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari has also made his comeback after years in the wilderness. Zeeshan Ansari hadn't played a Ranji Trophy match since 2020. Zeeshan made his red-ball comeback after six years against Sri Lanka A at Galle earlier this year. The 26-year-old is currently on the selectors' radar.The 2026-27 Ranji Trophy will kick-start on October 11. Uttar Pradesh's first match of the season is against Bihar, starting on October 11 at the newly built Rajgir International Stadium.