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After the completion of the Duleep Trophy 2024 with India A emerging as the title winners, the domestic season will next host the five-day First Class event, the Irani Cup in October. The match is scheduled to be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow after the tournament was moved out of Mumbai due to uncertain weather conditions.
With the tournament set to be played from October 1 to 5 in Lucknow, reports quoting PTI have informed that the 26-year-old batter, Sarfaraz Khan is likely to be released from the Indian squad in order to play for Mumbai in the Irani Cup. While Sarfaraz Khan missed a spot in the Playing XI for the opening Test, he is set to be released from the squad for the second Test in order to return to domestic duties with Mumbai.
In case Khan does not feature in the XI in the second Test, he might be released from the side on Mumbai Cricket Association’s request and will be included in the side, which will be led by Ajinkya Rahane. “Look, Sarfaraz is the only specialist middle-order batter in the squad. Dhruv Jurel is a keeper-batsman and Axar Patel is an all-rounder. What if there is a need for a concussion substitute? But yes, the Irani Cup starts on October 1 and travelling from Kanpur to Lucknow event on September 30 won’t be a big deal if the Test match ends early,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube to miss Irani Cup 2024: Reports
Moreover, the reports have also claimed that Team India T20I skipper, Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder, Shivam Dube will not be a part of the squad for the Irani Cup as they are set to report in Gwalior on October 3 ahead of the T20I series against Bangladesh. India is set to host Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, starting from October 6.
Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur and Shreyas Iyer are set to feature in the team for the Irani Cup, whereas Ajinkya Rahane is set to lead the 42-time Ranji Trophy winners. Although, the MCA is yet to announce the squad for the Irani Cup, Mumbai will have to cope with the services of star pacer Tushar Deshpande, who is currently recuperating from surgery on his ankle and knee.
