Fast bowler Praveen Kumar who originally belongs to Meerut will now bowl for Samajwadi Party in his new innings as politician. Praveen decision has heated up already charged UP political atmosphere. He made his One Day International cricket debut for the India national cricket team against Pakistan national cricket team at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur in November 2007. He established himself as the premier opening bowler for India in the ODIs from 2008 to 2010. He was selected for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 but owing to an injury was replaced by Sreesanth. Kumar, who plays for Uttar Pradesh cricket team in first class cricket, has been a part of the Indian cricket team in six test matches and 68 ODI's, where he has to his credit, 27 and 77 wickets respectively.