3 India Test regulars who must play the Duleep Trophy ft. Rishabh Pant
The 2024 Duleep Trophy is set to kick off on September 5 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, and this year’s tournament could see several of India’s top Test cricketers in action. Following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), senior players are expected to participate, making this edition of the Duleep Trophy particularly significant.
Among the many names being considered, three Indian Test regulars stand out as those who must take part in this prestigious domestic competition. Here's a look at those three names:
3 India Test regulars who must play the Duleep Trophy
#3 KL Rahul
KL Rahul has had a challenging year with injuries hampering his participation in crucial Test matches. After missing four of the five Tests against England earlier this year due to injury, Rahul has been away from red-ball cricket for a significant period. With India gearing up for a busy Test schedule that includes two matches against Bangladesh, three against New Zealand, and the crucial five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Rahul needs to regain his form and confidence.
This could be the perfect opportunity for Rahul to get back into the groove. Participating in this tournament will allow him to get some much-needed game time, score runs, and rebuild his confidence ahead of India’s Test assignments. For a player of his caliber, it will be crucial to be in the best possible form, and the Duleep Trophy could be the ideal platform for his comeback.
#2 Sarfaraz Khan
Sarfaraz Khan’s exclusion from the IPL this year has left him short of match practice, particularly in the longer format of the game. Despite a solid showing in the three Tests he played against England in March, where he accumulated 200 runs in five innings, Sarfaraz needs to prove his consistency ahead of the upcoming assignments against New Zealand and Australia.
The Duleep Trophy is a critical tournament for Sarfaraz to demonstrate his ability to score big runs consistently. With India’s middle-order spots being highly competitive, this tournament could be his chance to cement his place in the Test side. Scoring heavily in the Duleep Trophy will not only boost his confidence but also ensure he is in prime form for the upcoming international fixtures.
#1 Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is perhaps one of the most compelling cases for participation in the Duleep Trophy. After a harrowing car accident in December 2022, Pant has been on the road to recovery, and this tournament could mark his first red-ball game since regaining full fitness. As an integral part of India’s Test team, Pant must get back into the rhythm of the longer format, particularly given the demanding Test calendar coming up.
Pant's inclusion in the Duleep Trophy would allow him to find his form, regain confidence, and get back among the runs before stepping back onto the international stage. Given his importance to the team, ensuring that he is match-fit and in top form is vital, and this tournament offers the ideal platform for the same.