New Delhi: A majority of India’s Test regulars, barring premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah and senior spinner R Ashwin are expected to feature in the upcoming Duleep Trophy ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh. Team India skipper Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli have also been asked to participate in the tournament, however, the choice is entirely theirs whether they want to play or take a break.
The Duleep Trophy 2024 is set to get underway on September 05 and the opening match of the red-ball tournament was initially scheduled to be hosted at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh. However, the match has now been shifted to the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The venue change suggests that BCCI is keen on involving the Test regulars in the domestic tournament.
As per a report in PTI, the decision to play is up to Kohli and Rohit in the duo’s case, however, the likes of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja among others are all expected to feature in the Duleep Trophy. The Test regulars might be available fully or partially for the tournament. India will host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series starting September 19.
Bumrah is set to be given rest from the tournament while Ashwin is also likely to join India’s Test squad directly for the Bangladesh series. Mohammed Shami is also unlikely to feature as he continues his recovery from the surgery he underwent after the 2023 ODI World Cup. The fast bowler has resumed bowling but it remains if he gets the green light from the NCA medical staff for the domestic tournament.
Shami is expected to make his comeback for the Indian team during the Bangladesh Test series. The decision to involve the top players in the Duleep Trophy aligns with the BCCI’s efforts in ensuring domestic matches are given equal importance by the players after several big names missed domestic matches regularly when not on international duty.
Hardik Pandya unlikely to play in Duleep Trophy
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has not played red-ball cricket for India since September 2018, will be another notable absentee from the Duleep Trophy. Pandya, who has already made it clear to the BCCI that he should not be considered for selection in Test cricket, also opted for a break from the recently concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka citing personal reasons.
Pandya featured in the T20I series against Sri Lanka which India won 3-0. The all-rounder might be seen in action next when India take on Bangladesh in the three-match T20I series following the conclusion of the two Test matches.
While Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been allowed to take a call on their participation, other India Test regulars are expected to fature in the upcoming Duleep Trophy ahead of India’s Test series against Bangladesh at home. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will not take part in the domestic tournament. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
