Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to be part of star studded Duleep Trophy squads that will be picked by the senior selection committee of the BCCI. With the 2-match Test series against Bangladesh set to commence from September 19, the selection committee wants all the players to be available for the Duleep Trophy which will be played in a new format this season beginning September 5.
It is understood that the likes of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Surykumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav have also been asked to play in the Duleep Trophy. However, pacer Jasprit Bumrah will not be featuring in the tournament as he has been given a prolonged Test period.
With the zonal format of the Duleep Trophy done away, Ajit Agarkar’s panel will pick the four squads – India A, India B, India C and India D. All these teams will feature in the tournament.
The Duleep Trophy is scheduled to be played in Anantapur and Andhra Pradesh. With the venue not connected by air transport and with the star players agreeing to turn up, the BCCI is now planning to keep one round at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The six matches of Duleep Trophy will begin on September 5 and will conclude on September 24.
