As India braces for a red-ball reboot after an extensive period of short-form cricket, the 2024 Duleep Trophy emerges as the ideal launch pad for a crucial stretch of 10 Test matches over the next four and a half months. The tournament, commencing on September 5, will witness the crème de la crème of India’s domestic talent warming up to the distinct rhythms of the long format while competing to make a significant impact.

While the core of the Test team is more or less settled across most departments, several questions remain, particularly in the fast-bowling segment, which has often been the Achilles’ heel for India in the longer format. The injury to Mohammad Shami, who is still recuperating nearly a year after his standout performances in the ODI World Cup, has prompted the quest for a reliable third seamer. Initially, Mukesh Kumar appeared to be the frontrunner for this position during the Tests against England earlier this year. However, after an underwhelming performance in Visakhapatnam, Akash Deep was given an opportunity and delivered a more impactful performance in his lone Test.

The position of India’s third or fourth seamer is thus up for grabs and will be a focal point during the Duleep Trophy. Apart from Mukesh and Akash, the competition includes a diverse group of pacers who have been oscillating in and out of the Indian team. Prasidh Krishna, who missed the recent Maharaja T20 Trophy due to injury, is set to miss the initial encounters of the Duleep Trophy.

Other contenders for the coveted spot feature Khaleel Ahmed, still working to prove his credentials in red-ball cricket, and Avesh Khan, who is making a strong case for inclusion. Additional candidates such as Yash Dayal, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Vyshak Vijaykumar have shown promise in domestic circuits but await opportunities on the international stage. Notable names like Sandeep Warrier, Tushar Deshpande, Harshit Rana, and Navdeep Saini also bring varied skillsets to the fray.

The selection process for the fast-bowling unit is complex, with the selectors and team management facing a challenging task in identifying suitable pacers for the upcoming Test series. They need to consider bowlers who can perform well in Indian conditions, offer unique traits in Australia, and potentially be groomed for the long run.

Paras Mhambrey, who was India’s bowling coach until their victorious T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, sees immense potential in the upcoming series. “There’s quite a lot of Test cricket here. You will require a pool of bowlers to last the 10 Test matches that India are playing because at some point you’d have to rest Bumrah or Siraj. It’s good to see that some of them are in the reckoning or close to selection,” Mhambrey tells Cricbuzz.

Mhambrey emphasizes analyzing how these bowlers perform in various phases. “On flatter wickets, it’s critical to observe how they deliver in the third or fourth spell. This provides insight into their fitness, understanding, and game reading. Given that many are in different phases of their career, you can shortlist six or seven quality fast bowlers to bank on and rotate. This selection process pertains to red-ball cricket, but most of these players will also engage in shorter formats,” he explains.

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The pool of frontline pacers in the Duleep Trophy totals up to 17, necessitating a careful selection process. With conditions expected in Bengaluru and Anantpur, team strategies might limit line-ups to two seamers. However, rotation among these players is common in such tournaments, allowing for accommodation of specific requests.

“If a particular bowler is part of the plan, selectors might discuss with captains certain game situations for that bowler, like bowling after Lunch or at day’s end,” says Mhambrey. “It’s beneficial as many international-level batsmen are participating, offering a chance to bowl against quality opponents and make a case for selection.”

Mhambrey also underscores the need to gear up for more challenging tours, notably the marquee tour to Australia in just over two months. Among the 17 names, only Navdeep Saini has prior red-ball experience in Australian conditions.

“On Indian tracks, you typically play with two seamers due to the nature of the wickets, which aid reverse swing. In Australia, utilizing the 30-35 overs with the new ball is critical for picking up wickets. Thus, identifying players who can provide those wickets is essential,” Mhambrey mentions. “Bounce will also be crucial, and seeing how someone like Prasidh Krishna performs will be interesting. If he excels in the Duleep Trophy, he could emerge as a distinct third seamer.”

Prasidh Krishna, a 28-year-old Karnataka pacer, is recuperating from a quadriceps injury and will miss the initial Duleep Trophy match. He was part of the training group for Team A, but whether he will feature later in the tournament remains uncertain.

Mhambrey also highlights the importance of including a left-arm pacer. “I want to see three or four guys in the India scheme of things, including a left-armer,” he adds. Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, and Arshdeep Singh are all set to participate in the tournament, providing room for grooming.

For the immediate selection solutions like the series against Bangladesh, form will be a critical differentiator. “Form is crucial. Pacers like Avesh and Khaleel, who have been around for a while, could be strong contenders if they find great form,” asserts Mhambrey. He cites the example of Akash Deep, whose performance against the England Lions prompted his selection for the England Test series by Ajit Agarkar.

The Duleep Trophy thus becomes a high-stakes platform for fast bowlers eager to make an impression, aiming for instant rewards and a place in the national Test squad.

By IPL Agent

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