As India braces for a red-ball reboot following a lengthy spell of limited-overs cricket, the 2024 Duleep Trophy is set to provide the perfect launch pad for an intensive series of 10 Test matches over the next four and a half months. Kicking off on September 5, this tournament will not only allow India’s domestic cricket stars to adjust to the unique rhythms of the longer format but also serve as a proving ground for those aiming to make a swift impact.
While most positions in the Indian Test team appear settled, including their reserves, the fast bowling department remains a point of concern. Mohammed Shami’s lingering injury, which has kept him on the sidelines almost a year after his last major appearance in the ODI World Cup, leaves a significant gap in the fast bowling line-up. Consequently, India is on the lookout for a reliable third seamer. Initially, Mukesh Kumar seemed poised to fill this role during the Tests against England earlier this year. However, his underwhelming performance in Visakhapatnam led to Akash Deep seizing the opportunity, delivering a more promising performance in his sole Test appearance.
The competition for the spot as India’s third or fourth seamer is still wide open and will be a focal point of scrutiny in the Duleep Trophy. Mukesh and Akash are among several pacers vying for the position. Prasidh Krishna, missing the recently concluded Maharaja T20 Trophy due to injury, will also sit out the Duleep Trophy’s opening match. Other contenders include Khaleel Ahmed, who still has much to prove as a red-ball bowler, and Avesh Khan, who has been on the fringes for a while. Additionally, Yash Dayal, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Vyshak Vijaykumar, all of whom have performed admirably in domestic cricket but have yet to break into the national team, remain in the mix.
Further adding to this crowded field are Sandeep Warrier, Tushar Deshpande, Harshit Rana, and Navdeep Saini, each bringing unique skill sets to the table. Given this plethora of options, the task for selectors and team management will be anything but straightforward. Over the next five months, they will need to identify bowlers capable of excelling in India, offering a distinct edge in Australia, and demonstrating potential for long-term success.
India’s former bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, who recently guided the team to a victorious T20 World Cup campaign, sees this as a chance to evaluate the players on various metrics. “There’s quite a lot of Test cricket ahead. You will require a pool of bowlers to last the 10 Test matches that India are playing because at some point you’ll have to rest Bumrah or Siraj. It’s good to see that some of them are already in contention or close to selection,” Mhambrey commented in a conversation with Cricbuzz.
“Observing these bowlers across different phases of the game is crucial. On flatter wickets, for instance, it’s essential to see how they handle the third or fourth spell. This gives a clearer picture of their fitness, their understanding, and their game-reading abilities. Many are at different stages of their careers, so moving forward, you could shortlist six or seven quality fast bowlers to rely on for rotation. This is crucial for red-ball cricket, but many will also play short formats,” Mhambrey added.
The selection process will be meticulous, with the 17 frontline pacers in the Duleep Trophy teams needing to be carefully assessed. Given the conditions in Bengaluru and Anantapur, team management and captains might limit their line-ups to two seamers.
. However, with the requirements of the senior team in mind, there could be room for rotation, a common practice in such tournaments. This flexibility might be extended if specific requests arise.
“If a particular bowler is considered part of the future plans, I’m sure the selectors could communicate with the captains accordingly. It’s a personal kind of conversation. They might want to see how a bowler performs in specific phases, like just after lunch or at the end of the day,” Mhambrey suggested. “This allows bowlers to be tested against quality opposition, putting themselves in contention for selection.”
Selectors will also consider long-term goals, such as preparing for the England tour next year, but the immediate focus will be on the challenging tour to Australia in just over two months. Among the 17 pace options, Navdeep Saini is the only one with previous red-ball experience in Australian conditions.
“In India, you are unlikely to play more than two seamers because of the pitch conditions. There will be black soil, low bounce, and the potential for reverse swing. Hence, bowlers who have pace and can bowl reverse swing will be crucial,” stated Mhambrey. “Conversely, in Australia, utilizing the newish Kookaburra ball during the first 30-35 overs is vital. You want bowlers who can exploit that window to take wickets. Therefore, bounce and the ability to bowl reverse swing become significant attributes.”
The 28-year-old Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna, currently recovering from a quadriceps injury, is set to miss the opener of the Duleep Trophy. Nevertheless, he participated in the training sessions for Shubman Gill-led Team A on the eve of the first match. Whether he can return later in the tournament remains to be seen.
Adding another dimension to the selection matrix is the quest for a left-arm pace option. Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, and Arshdeep Singh will all participate in the tournament, offering a chance for grooming. “I hope to see three or four bowlers being integrated into the Indian setup, potentially including a left-armer who can offer a different angle,” Mhambrey noted.
For immediate selection needs, especially for the upcoming series against Bangladesh, current form could be the key differentiator. “Form is crucial. For pacers like Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed, who have been around for quite a while, excellent form could propel them into the third or fourth seamer spot,” Mhambrey believes.
He cited the example of Akash Deep’s selection by Ajit Agarkar for the England series based on his stellar performance against the England Lions. Even Akash admitted being surprised by his call-up, illustrating how quick impression-making can yield immediate dividends for those knocking on the doors of selection.