In a crucial announcement for Indian domestic cricket, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been appointed as captains of the four squads participating in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. The eagerly awaited tournament will feature a plethora of players from India’s senior squads. However, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya have been excluded from the rosters for the first round, with veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also not making the cut. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami will miss the tournament due to his ongoing rehabilitation.
Team A, spearheaded by Shubman Gill, includes notable players such as Riyan Parag, KL Rahul, Shivam Dube, and Kuldeep Yadav. This mix of young talent and experienced campaigners is expected to put up a robust challenge. Abhimanyu Easwaran will lead Team B, which features rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal, skilled all-rounder Washington Sundar, seasoned cricketer Ravindra Jadeja, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. The squad also includes all-rounder Nitish Reddy, though his participation remains contingent on his fitness.
Team C, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, includes dynamic players like Suryakumar Yadav and Sai Sudharsan, poised to fortify their batting lineup. Rajat Patidar’s inclusion further strengthens their offensive capabilities. As expected, Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, will return to action in Team D under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. This squad comprises emerging talents such as Devdutt Padikkal and versatile players like Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has disclosed that players selected for the home Test series against Bangladesh will be replaced in the Duleep Trophy squads to maintain roster consistency. This year’s Duleep Trophy, starting on September 5 and concluding on September 22, will be hosted in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur and Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, offering fans an exciting array of matches in the first-class tournament.
This year’s squad selections reflect an update provided by Cricbuzz in mid-July, hinting at a greater involvement of national team players in domestic competitions to ensure match readiness and foster competitive spirit.
Here are the detailed rosters for the Duleep Trophy teams:
Team A, captained by Shubman Gill, features a combination of youth and experience. The squad includes Mayank Agarwal and Riyan Parag, who have demonstrated their potential in various domestic and international platforms. KL Rahul, a regular in India’s senior team, brings stability and experience to the batting order. Shivam Dube’s all-around capabilities, combined with the spin expertise of Kuldeep Yadav and the pace of Prasidh Krishna and Khaleel Ahmed, make this team formidable.
. Additional contributors like Avesh Khan and Vidwath Kaverappa add depth, while youngsters like Dhruv Jurel and Tilak Varma provide future prospects.
Team B, under the leadership of Abhimanyu Easwaran, boasts a lineup rich in talent and diversity. Yashasvi Jaiswal, known for his aggressive batting, will be a key asset, while Sarfaraz Khan continues to impress with consistent performances in domestic circuits. Skipper Easwaran himself, renowned for his solid technique, will anchor the batting. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja bring multifaceted skills to the squad, offering both batting prowess and bowling options. The pace attack led by Mohammed Siraj, complemented by the left-arm spin of Yash Dayal and medium pace by Mukesh Kumar, will challenge opponents.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Team C highlights a mix of established and emerging cricketing talents. Suryakumar Yadav, with his innovative batting style, will be a focal point of the batting unit. Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar enrich the lineup with their run-scoring abilities. The team also includes deft wicketkeeper-batsman Abishek Porel and seasoned campaigner B Indrajith. Umran Malik’s express pace, along with Anshul Khamboj and Manav Suthar’s spin, offers a balanced bowling attack.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, Team D captures substantial talent. Ishan Kishan, returning to competitive cricket, will bolster the team as a key wicketkeeper-batsman. Devdutt Padikkal’s elegant strokes and Axar Patel’s all-around skills add substantial value. The pace-heavy lineup includes left-armer Arshdeep Singh and promising bowlers Harshit Rana and Tushar Deshpande.
As the Duleep Trophy approaches, the inclusion of top-tier players from the national circuits promises highly competitive matches and a thrilling showcase of cricketing skills. As fans gear up for the start of the tournament, the stage is set for captivating cricketing action that not only highlights individual brilliance but also fortifies team ambitions on the domestic front. The first match will set the tone for an intense and action-filled journey, drawing keen interest from enthusiasts nationwide.