With the Indian cricket team’s next assignment being the Bangladesh series, which includes two Tests and three T20Is, the Indian cricketers are set to feature in the Duleep Trophy. According to the latest update available, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah won’t be available for India’s season-opening tournament, but it is sure to say that the other centrally contracted players will take the field for different teams.
Among the many, Indian wicketkeeper-batters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are set to return to the red-ball format after recovering from their respective injuries. Moreover, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Suryakumar Yadav and Rajat Patidar will also be seen, proving their role as specialist batters in the four-team competition. Star Indian pacer, Mohammed Shami is set to return to competitive action after undergoing successful surgery, proving his fitness for the upcoming Bangladesh Test series.
It is to be noted that Mohammed Shami last featured in the ODI World Cup 2023, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps.
Duleep Trophy to be played from September 5 in Andhra Pradesh
The season-opening domestic tournament, Duleep Trophy is set to get underway from September 5. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel is yet to pick the teams for the tournament, which will be played in a brand new format, featuring four teams. Moreover, the 2024 season of the tournament will see centrally contracted players feature in it after Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary, Jay Shah asserted the need for players to play domestic cricket.
While two Duleep Trophy games will be held simultaneously from September 5, one is likely to be moved to Bengaluru. Meanwhile, India will commence the Bangladesh series with the first Test scheduled to be played from September 19 to 23 in Chennai.