The forthcoming edition of the Duleep Trophy promises to be a high-octane spectacle featuring some of India’s prominent Test players. However, fans will have to grapple with the absence of several key personalities. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Umran Malik will not be competing in the tournament for various reasons, prompting the selection committee to adjust the squads accordingly.
As per the latest announcement, Siraj and Malik will be missing from the action due to illness. Although the specific nature of their ailments has not been disclosed in the BCCI press release, it has been clarified that their recovery will not be quick enough for them to participate in the Duleep Trophy matches. The absence of Siraj is a significant setback for the national team; the pace bowler is a vital cog in India’s bowling line-up, crucial for their upcoming international commitments. India is set to resume its international cricket fixtures with a Test series against Bangladesh starting September 19, and Siraj will be in a race against time to be fit for the high-stakes encounter.
To plug the gaps left by these absences, the selection committee has made swift replacements. Navdeep Saini has been appointed to replace Siraj in the Team B squad, while Gaurav Yadav will take Malik’s spot in Team C.
In another twist, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been released from the Team B squad as well. Contrary to the adjustments made for Siraj and Malik, no replacement has been named for Jadeja. This decision has sparked curiosity among fans and experts alike concerning the strategic considerations of the team selectors.
“Both Siraj and Malik are suffering from an illness and are not expected to be fit in time for their Duleep Trophy fixtures.
. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has also been released from the Team B squad,” the BCCI statement read.
For those unfamiliar, the Duleep Trophy is set to kick off on September 5 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, with subsequent matches scheduled at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tournament has historically been a platform for India’s upcoming and established players to showcase their prowess, making it a significant event on the domestic cricket calendar.
The revised line-ups for the tournament are as follows:
India A: The team, captained by Shubman Gill, boasts several promising talents. Alongside Gill, the squad features Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, and Shaswat Rawat.
India B: Under the leadership of Abhimanyu Easwaran, this team includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, and N Jagadeesan (WK).
India C: Captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, the squad features Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Gaurav Yadav, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (WK), and Sandeep Warrier.
India D: Led by Shreyas lyer, this team comprises Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (WK), and Saurabh Kumar.
As the Duleep Trophy 2023 approaches, excitement builds despite the noted absences. This edition of the tournament offers an opportunity for the included players to make a mark and fill the voids left by Siraj, Jadeja, and Malik. With the complex dynamics of team selections and upcoming international engagements, the event will undoubtedly serve as a precursor to what lies ahead in Indian cricket. The stage is set, and fans await with bated breath as the Duleep Trophy unfolds, showcasing the depth and breadth of India’s cricketing talent.
