New Delhi Duleep Trophy: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah should have been named for the first round of the Duleep Trophy, given the trio’s “well-rested” condition.
The Duleep Trophy, a significant event in India’s domestic season, will feature many regular Test team players in its first round, starting on September 5 in Bengaluru and Anantapur. The tournament’s format has also changed, with four teams chosen by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee replacing the zonal format. This shift underscores the tournament’s role in shaping India’s Test team.
But Rohit, India’s Test and ODI skipper, along with Kohli, Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin, will not be a part of the Duleep Trophy first round. “India has played 249 international matches in the last five years. Rohit has played only 59% of those. Virat 61 %; Bumrah 34%. I see them as well-rested Indian players. Could have been selected for the Duleep trophy,” said Manjrekar on ‘X’.
The BCCI confirmed on Tuesday that Ravindra Jadeja had been released from participation, but no explanation was given. Besides, Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik won’t feature due to their recovery from recent illness, with Navdeep Saini and Gaurav Yadav named as their replacements.
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The Duleep Trophy, a key determinant of India’s primary players and their readiness for the upcoming Test matches is eagerly awaited. The tournament’s outcome will significantly influence the selection of India’s Test team, adding to the anticipation and excitement among cricket enthusiasts.
India will open their home season with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, beginning on September 19 in Chennai and concluding on September 27 in Kanpur. This will be followed by three Tests against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai before travelling to Australia for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins on November 22 in Perth.
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–IANS
(Photo: IANS/Biplab Banerjee)
