The Duleep Trophy 2024 is set to commence on February 5 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Red Ball domestic competition features several international stars. However, big guns like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah are not taking part.
The tournament will serve as preparation for the Indian Test team members as the Bangladesh series is scheduled to take place next month. India will also tour Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year. Having said that, for some players, the Duleep Trophy is of great importance to make a comeback to the national team.
Here are the three players who would look to do well in Duleep Trophy
3. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan has had a tough few months in recent times, being dropped from the BCCI’s list of central contracts. He last represented the Men in Blue in a T20I match in November 2023. The Jharkhand cricketer has so far played only two Test matches, both in 2023 against West Indies. Notably, he was picked to play in the series against South Africa, but due to mental fatigue, he took a break midway and the door has been closed on him ever since. He recently smashed a brilliant ton in the Buchi Babu tournament and will be aiming to continue his heroics in the Duleep Trophy as well.
2. KS Bharat
KS Bharath was considered in the keeper-batsman role in the absence of Rishabh Pant, who was sidelined for over a year following a horrific car accident. Bharat last played in a Test match against England in January 2024 and it is fair to say he failed to impress the selectors. With Pant returning to the fold, the competition has doubled for the Andhra Pradesh cricketer. He has to prove his mettle in the upcoming domestic tournament.
1. Mayank Agarwal
The emergence of youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill has blocked the path of the inconsistent Mayank Agarwal in the Indian Test team. The opening batter has scored nearly 1500 runs in this format including two double centuries and four centuries. He last played for India in a Test match against Sri Lanka on 12 March 2022. He needs to bring his A-game to get back into the national team.