The Uttar Pradesh (UP) cricket team has kicked off its pre-season preparations for the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy with a training camp at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. Day one saw 49 players reporting for fitness assessments, net sessions, and team-building activities under the guidance of new head coach Arvind Kapoor, signaling a fresh start ahead of the domestic season.
Coach Kapoor, who took over the reins earlier this year, emphasized the importance of combining skill development with physical conditioning. “The objective of this camp is to get players into top shape physically while honing their technical and tactical skills ahead of the Ranji season. We want to create a culture of discipline, focus, and continuous improvement,” Kapoor said.
The camp’s first day focused primarily on fitness assessments, with players undergoing tests for endurance, speed, agility, and strength. These evaluations are intended to provide the coaching staff with a benchmark for individual fitness levels and to tailor specific training regimes for each player. Kapoor stressed that in modern-day cricket, physical fitness is as crucial as technical skill, particularly in multi-day formats like the Ranji Trophy.
Net sessions were conducted in multiple groups, allowing batsmen and bowlers to work on specific skills. Young batters focused on footwork, shot selection, and rotating strike under match-simulation scenarios, while bowlers worked on accuracy, variations, and consistency. Senior players also mentored juniors during the sessions, sharing insights and strategies for handling long innings and high-pressure situations.
Fielding drills were another major focus, with emphasis on catching, ground fielding, and sharp throwing. The coaching staff highlighted that superior fielding can often be the difference between winning and losing in the domestic circuit, particularly in closely contested Ranji matches. Kapoor encouraged players to develop not just individual skills but also team coordination in the field.
The camp has drawn a mix of experienced state players and promising young talents from Uttar Pradesh’s cricketing academies. This blend is intended to foster mentorship, with seasoned players guiding the newcomers while also ensuring that competition for spots in the final squad remains intense. Kapoor noted that squad selection for the Ranji Trophy will be merit-based, rewarding performance, fitness, and attitude.
Mental conditioning workshops are also scheduled for later in the camp. Recognizing the psychological challenges of multi-day cricket, the coaching staff aims to equip players with techniques for focus, resilience, and game awareness. Sports psychologists will work closely with players to prepare them for the long spells of concentration demanded by the Ranji Trophy.
The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has expressed optimism that this pre-season camp will help the team hit the ground running. With a renewed training regimen, structured schedules, and focused coaching under Arvind Kapoor, UP hopes to improve on its previous season’s performances and challenge for top positions in the Ranji Trophy.
As the camp continues over the coming days, attention will turn to simulated matches, skill-specific drills, and performance evaluations, all designed to ensure that the UP squad enters the 2025–26 Ranji season physically ready, technically sharp, and mentally prepared for the rigors of domestic cricket. The Green Park camp marks a crucial step in building a competitive and cohesive team for Uttar Pradesh.