The upcoming Duleep Trophy is poised to showcase some of the biggest names in Indian cricket, including captain Rohit Sharma and batting legend Virat Kohli. With the selectors keen on having all Test players available for this domestic tournament, the Duleep Trophy is set to play a significant role in preparations for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.
Selection Committee and Tournament Format
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), led by the Ajit Agarkar selection committee, will be responsible for picking squads for the four teams participating in the revamped Duleep Trophy: India A, India B, India C, and India D. This change marks a departure from the traditional zonal format, allowing for a more competitive structure.
Prominent players such as Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav are also expected to participate. However, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will not be taking part in the tournament as he continues his extended rest period, which has kept him out of action since the T20 World Cup last June.
Venue and Schedule
The Duleep Trophy will kick off on September 5, 2024, and run until September 24, 2024. Initially slated to be held in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, the venue may shift to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru due to logistical issues, as Anantapur lacks an airport. The BCCI is currently assessing the situation, but the players have expressed their willingness to participate in the tournament regardless of the venue.
While there’s no official confirmation yet on which match Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be playing, it is speculated that if the Indian team management decides to host a pre-Bangladesh series camp in Chennai, the duo might feature in the opening clash of the Duleep Trophy.Â
India faces a demanding schedule in the coming months, with 10 Test matches lined up over the next four months, including five against Australia. The Duleep Trophy will be instrumental in helping players fine-tune their skills and strategies ahead of this rigorous calendar.
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