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The much-anticipated Duleep Trophy 2024-25 is set to commence on September 5, officially kicking off the Indian domestic cricket season. This tournament is of immense significance as many of India’s top cricketers will be vying to secure their spots in the national Test team.
Star players in Action: A Test team rehearsal
Several high-profile Indian cricketers, including KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will be participating in the tournament. For these players, the Duleep Trophy is more than just another competition – it’s a chance to solidify their positions in the Indian Test squad. With the upcoming series against Bangladesh and the much-awaited face-off against Australia later in the year for the prestigious Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), strong performances here could be pivotal in shaping their international careers.
Leadership and team composition: A new structure
This season will see Gill leading Team A, Abhimanyu Easwaran captaining Team B, Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm of Team C and Shreyas Iyer steering Team D. The tournament will be hosted across three venues: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and the Rural Development Trust Stadiums “A” and ‘B’ in Anantapur. The 2023 edition saw South Zone emerge victorious, defeating West Zone by 75 runs to claim the title.
Tournament format: A shift from tradition
The 2024-25 edition of the Duleep Trophy introduces a fresh format, moving away from the zonal structure to feature four teams – India A, B, C, and D. This year’s competition will be conducted in a single round-robin format, with each team playing three matches. Unlike previous editions, there will be no knockout stages; instead, the team that tops the points table after all matches will be crowned the winner.
Also READ: Duleep Trophy 2024-25: Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, Umran Malik out of first round; BCCI announces revised squads
India A’s top-choice playing XI for the Duleep Trophy 2024
Gill, who has been appointed captain of India A, will be leading a star-studded squad featuring the likes of Rahul, Shivam Dube, Mayank Agarwal and Kuldeep Yadav. The team’s composition reflects a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, making them strong contenders for the title. With the competition heating up, all eyes will be on these players as they aim to make a lasting impact and secure their places in the national setup.
1. Mayank Agarwal (Opener)
- A prolific run-scorer at the top, Mayank Agarwal brings experience and aggression to the opening slot, capable of giving India A solid starts.
2. KL Rahul (Opener)
- Versatile and technically sound, KL Rahul is expected to stabilize the innings, offering both attacking flair and the ability to anchor the innings when required.
3. Shubman Gill (Captain, Top-order)
- As captain, Shubman Gill’s leadership and consistent run-scoring ability will be pivotal in guiding the team’s batting lineup.
4. Tilak Varma (Middle-order)
- A promising young talent, Tilak Varma is known for his ability to play impactful innings in the middle order, balancing aggression with composure.
5. Riyan Parag (All-rounder)
- A dynamic all-rounder, Riyan Parag offers flexibility with both bat and ball, known for his finishing abilities and useful leg-spin.
6. Shivam Dube (All-rounder)
- A powerful hitter and a handy medium-pacer, Shivam Dube will play a crucial role as a lower-middle-order finisher and a sixth bowling option.
7. Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- A reliable wicketkeeper-batsman, Dhruv Jurel adds depth to the batting lineup, capable of contributing vital runs in the lower order.
8. Kuldeep Yadav (Spinner)
- The team’s main spin threat, Kuldeep Yadav’s left-arm wrist spin is expected to be a key weapon in breaking partnerships and containing the opposition.
9. Akash Deep (Fast bowler)
- A promising pace bowler, Akash Deep brings raw pace and the ability to swing the ball, making him a potent force in the fast-bowling department.
10. Prasidh Krishna (Fast bowler)
- Known for his extra bounce and accuracy, Prasidh Krishna is the spearhead of the pace attack, tasked with leading the bowling unit with his wicket-taking abilities.
11. Khaleel Ahmed (Fast bowler)
- A left-arm pacer, Khaleel Ahmed adds variety to the pace attack with his ability to swing the ball and exploit any movement off the pitch.
These players form a balanced and competitive lineup, combining experience with youthful energy, capable of performing well in the Duleep Trophy 2024.
