Duleep Trophy 2024: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Among Key Indian Players Likely to Participate

News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/12th August 2024

The upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024 is set to feature some of India’s regular cricket stars, with the exception of pacer Jasprit Bumrah and senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who are expected to be rested. In a move to accommodate these top players and ensure they are well-prepared for the forthcoming Test series against Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to shift one of the opening matches from Anantapur to Bengaluru.

The Duleep Trophy was originally scheduled to begin with two first-round matches at Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, starting September 5. However, logistical challenges, particularly the lack of flight connectivity to Anantapur, led the BCCI to move one of these games to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This decision aims to minimize travel inconveniences for the players and provide them with a better environment to hone their skills in red-ball cricket ahead of the crucial Test series.

Senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma might receive exemptions from participating in the tournament. However, the choice of whether to play or not rests entirely on them. The Duleep Trophy offers these stalwarts a valuable opportunity to get back into the rhythm of red-ball cricket before India faces Bangladesh in two Test matches, scheduled to begin on September 19 in Chennai and September 27 in Kanpur.

Other prominent players, including Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav, are expected to participate in the tournament, either fully or partially. Their involvement is seen as a strategic move to ensure they are in top form for the Test series, reinforcing the importance of domestic competitions like the Duleep Trophy in maintaining player readiness.

While Bumrah and Ashwin are set to be rested, they will likely join the Indian squad directly for the Bangladesh series. This decision underscores the BCCI’s focus on managing player workloads, particularly for those who have been heavily involved in recent international fixtures. Bumrah’s absence, in particular, reflects the team management’s cautious approach to preserving his fitness, given his recent injury history.

One of the intriguing possibilities for the Duleep Trophy is the participation of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. If selected, this would mark Pant’s first red-ball assignment since his return from a serious car accident in 2022. Pant has already rejoined India’s white-ball setup and played in the T20 World Cup, but his involvement in the Duleep Trophy could provide a crucial step in his full return to form in the longer format.

On the other hand, Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from surgery, will miss the entire domestic season, including the Duleep Trophy. His absence is a significant blow, but the focus remains on ensuring his full recovery for future international commitments.

The BCCI’s decision to shift the Duleep Trophy match to Bengaluru is also in line with their broader strategy to involve top players in domestic cricket whenever they are not engaged in national duties. This approach not only helps maintain the competitiveness of domestic tournaments but also allows players to stay in touch with the game’s demands at the highest level.

In a similar vein, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan have already made themselves available for the Buchi Babu Trophy, starting August 15. This trend of national players participating in domestic competitions highlights the BCCI’s commitment to fostering a strong cricketing culture across all levels of the sport.