As India gears up for a significant red-ball cricket reboot after an extended period dominated by short-form formats, the 2024 Duleep Trophy emerges as an ideal springboard for the team’s rigorous schedule of 10 Test matches in the coming four and a half months. The inaugural round of this transition kicks off on September 5, featuring India’s finest domestic talents. This tournament will help them acclimate to the game’s longer format while striving to make an immediate impact.
Although the core of the Indian Test team is relatively settled across most departments, several questions remain unanswered, particularly in the fast-bowling arena—which is the most vulnerable part of their arsenal. Mohammed Shami’s ongoing recovery from an injury almost a year after his stellar performance at the ODI World Cup highlights the urgent need to identify a reliable third seamer. Early in the year, during the Test series against England, Mukesh Kumar seemed poised to fill this slot. However, an underwhelming performance in Visakhapatnam led to Akash Deep taking over, who then impressed in his solitary Test.
With the Duleep Trophy at hand, securing a dependable third or fourth seaming option for India remains a priority. Besides Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep, a pool of aspirants, including pacers who have intermittently been part of the Indian team, is vying for the spot. Among these are Prasidh Krishna, who recently missed the Maharaja T20 Trophy and will sit out the Duleep Trophy’s initial contests due to injury.
Other contenders include Khaleel Ahmed, who is yet to establish himself as a red-ball bowler, and Avesh Khan, who has been making his presence felt. Prominent domestic talents like Yash Dayal, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Vyshak Vijaykumar await opportunities at the international stage. This mix of hopefuls also includes Sandeep Warrier, Tushar Deshpande, Harshit Rana, and Navdeep Saini, each bringing unique skill sets to the table.
Given the broad array of options, the selectors and team management face a formidable challenge in preparing for the demanding months ahead. They aim to identify bowlers capable of excelling in India, offering distinct abilities in Australia, and potentially serving the team well in the long run. Paras Mhambrey, who has keen insights from his tenure as India’s bowling coach until the recent victorious T20 World Cup campaign, sees this period as an opportunity to evaluate the players on multiple fronts.
“There’s quite a lot of Test cricket coming up. You will require a pool of bowlers to endure the 10 Test matches ahead since at some point you’ll need to rest key players like Bumrah or Siraj,” Mhambrey told Cricbuzz.
He emphasized on scrutinizing the bowlers’ performances across different phases, especially on flatter wickets, which demand a certain resilience in later spells. “Observing their fitness, game understanding, and how they adapt will help us shortlist six or seven quality fast bowlers to bank on and rotate,” Mhambrey added.
.
Careful assessment will be crucial, as the pool of frontline pacers spans 17 players divided among four Duleep Trophy teams. Conditions in Bengaluru and Anantpur might prompt team management and captains to limit line-ups to two seamers each game. However, senior team requirements could introduce room for rotation, a norm in such tournaments, with specific requests possibly stretching the accommodation further.
“If a bowler is in the team’s scheme of things, selectors could converse with the captains about when to bowl them,” Mhambrey noted. “Such flexibility in game progression allows selectors to assess performances against quality opposition and determine potential selections.”
Looking ahead, Mhambrey is already contemplating tougher challenges, including next year’s England tour and the upcoming significant tour to Australia. Among the 17 candidates, only Navdeep Saini has prior red-ball experience in Australia. This adds another dimension to the selection process as the team looks to prepare for diverse conditions.
“In India, typically, only two seamers play due to the wicket conditions. However, Australia demands exploiting the new ball within 30-35 overs to pick wickets. We need to identify those with the necessary skill sets, including effective bounce,” Mhambrey elaborated.
Key players like Prasidh Krishna, currently recovering from a quadriceps injury and missing the Duleep Trophy’s opening game, remain vital to this strategy. Although sidelined initially, he continues training with the Shubman Gill-led Team A, and his participation later in the tournament is still possible.
Additionally, the need for a left-arm pace option remains, with players like Khaleel, Dayal, and Arshdeep in the fray. Mhambrey believes nurturing left-arm options can offer the team a different angle, enhancing their bowling arsenal.
For immediate selection purposes, especially for the Bangladesh series, form will be a critical differentiator. “Form is crucial. For seasoned contenders like Avesh and Khaleel, consistent form could secure their spots as third or fourth seamers,” stated Mhambrey.
Citing Akash Deep’s selection for the England series based on recent performances against the England Lions, Mhambrey underlined the importance of making strong impressions quickly. Hence, the Duleep Trophy presents an essential platform for India’s seamers to showcase their readiness and claim their spots as the team prepares for a demanding Test season ahead.