As India prepares to shift gears from a long stretch of short-form cricket, the 2024 Duleep Trophy emerges as a crucial platform to kickstart a sequence of 10 Test matches over the next four and a half months. The first round, commencing on September 5, will spotlight India’s premier domestic talent, offering them a chance to acclimatize to the rigors of the longer format while vying to leave a lasting impression.
Although the Test team appears largely set across most departments, a pressing concern remains in the fast-bowling segment, considered the most fragile factor. With Mohammed Shami still recuperating nearly a year after his sterling performance in the ODI World Cup, the hunt for a reliable third seamer has intensified. Initially, Mukesh Kumar seemed to be the frontrunner for that slot at the start of the year against England, but an underwhelming performance in Visakhapatnam saw his position conceded to Akash Deep, who made a more significant impact in his lone Test appearance.
The competition for establishing a dependable third or fourth seamer will be a highly scrutinized aspect of the Duleep Trophy. Apart from Mukesh and Akash, a diverse array of pacers, including Prasidh Krishna, who is currently sidelined by an injury, have thrown their hats into the ring. Krishna missed the Maharaja T20 Trophy and will also miss the Duleep Trophy opener, adding another layer of uncertainty.
Among the other aspirants are Khaleel Ahmed, who is yet to cement his credentials as a red-ball bowler, and Avesh Khan, who continues to knock on the selectors’ doors. Additionally, promising talents like Yash Dayal, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Vyshak Vijaykumar, though having excelled in domestic cricket, await their chances on the international stage. Notable mentions also include Sandeep Warrier, Tushar Deshpande, Harshit Rana, and Navdeep Saini, each bringing unique skill sets to the table.
Given the plethora of options, the selectors and team management face a daunting task in finalizing the roster for the upcoming months. Former bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, instrumental in India’s recent T20 World Cup triumph, articulated the challenge and opportunity ahead. “You’ll need a pool of bowlers to endure the 10 Test matches that India is scheduled to play, resting key players like Bumrah or Siraj at times. It’s promising to see several contenders in the mix,” Mhambrey shared with Cricbuzz.
Mhambrey emphasized a meticulous evaluation process for these bowlers based on various metrics. “Observing how these bowlers perform in different phases, on different pitches, and during different spells will provide valuable insights. Understanding the game, maintaining fitness, and adapting to different match scenarios will be crucial,” he elaborated. The aim is to shortlist six or seven reliable fast bowlers who can be rotated, keeping them fresh for red-ball cricket while also managing their commitments in shorter formats.
Shortlisting will be a careful exercise, considering the pool of frontline pacers across the four Duleep Trophy teams totals up to 17.
. Given the conditions in Bengaluru and Anantpur, team management may not prefer more than two seamers in their line-ups, although rotation within the squad could be an option based on the senior team’s needs.
Specific scenarios might even see captains receiving targeted requests from selectors to use certain bowlers at particular junctures of a match. “If a bowler is in the scheme of things, selectors could have discussions with captains about their involvement. It’s a more personalized approach to see them in action during key phases of the game, ensuring they bowl under different conditions and pressures,” Mhambrey explained.
Planning also includes focus on forthcoming challenges, like Australia’s tour in a little over two months and an eye on England next year. Within the 17 contenders, only Navdeep Saini has prior red-ball experience in overseas conditions.
“In India, you’re likely to play with two seamers due to pitch conditions favoring spinners. Conversely, in Australia, with the Kookaburra ball, the 30-35 overs with the newish ball will be crucial for taking wickets. Identifying bowlers who can utilize this period effectively becomes essential,” Mhambrey noted. Specific bowlers like Prasidh Krishna are eagerly watched to see how they adapt in the Duleep Trophy, as their performances could potentially elevate them as different seam options.
Prasidh, however, is recovering from a quadriceps injury and will miss the opening Duleep Trophy game, although he was part of Team A’s training group led by Shubman Gill.
Additionally, India seeks a left-arm pace option to complete the roster. Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, and Arshdeep Singh will play pivotal roles in filling this niche. Mhambrey sees an opportunity for nurturing these bowlers, explaining, “We need left-armers who bring a different angle to our bowling attack.”
For immediate series like the one against Bangladesh, current form could be the decisive criterion. “Form plays a pivotal role. Established bowlers like Avesh and Khaleel, if in strong form, could easily slot into the third or fourth seamer positions,” Mhambrey stated, citing examples like Akash Deep’s selection based on his performances against the England Lions.
In conclusion, the Duleep Trophy serves as both a testing ground and an opportunity for India’s fast-bowlers to secure their spots ahead of an intensive Test cricket schedule. Quick impressions and consistent performances could very well open the doors to international cricket for these promising talents.