Cricketer Praveen Kumar joins Samajwadi Party

New Delhi: Cricketer Praveen Kumar joined the Samajwadi Party on Sunday. The 29-year-old pacer, who hails from Meerut, was inducted into the party by a few senior leaders in UP capital Lucknow. He may contest from Meerut in 2017 state polls and will be a star campaigner for the party. Speaking to ABP News, he said, “I joined Samajwadi Party after observing some commendable work of CM Akhilesh Yadav.” Born into a family of wrestlers, Praveen turned to cricket. He proved himself gradually after making his debut in 2007.  He joined the Uttar Pradesh under-19 team with Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, R.P. Singh and Piyush Chawla in 2000. FILE PIC: AFP The turning point in Praveen’s career was his first Ranji season, when he took 41 wickets and scoring 368 runs. His consistency — 90 wickets in two first-class seasons — earned him a call-up to the India A squad touring Kenya in 2007. He was part of Team India in six Test matches and 68 ODIs where he has scalped 27 and 77 wickets respectively. Praveen is also known for having a bit of a short temper. He was suspended from the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2013 for using foul language against a batsman. In 2013, domestic cricketer umpires have gone on record as saying that Praveen “is not in a mental frame to play the game”. Furthermore, they claimed that his own teammates have deserted him. In 2008 also, he was involved in a fracas in Meerut and had allegedly thrashed a doctor. In the 2011 series in England, he angrily reacted to fans’ gibes in a tour game against Northants. Kumar hasn’t represented India since 2012 in any of the three formats.