Cricket

India's wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is set to make a grand return to domestic red-ball cricket in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Kishan, who last played a domestic game in 2022, will lead Team D in the tournament, which kicks off on September 2024.Prior to the Duleep Trophy, Kishan will lead Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu tournament. The 25-year-old last played for India in the T20I series against Australia in November 2023. He was also part of the team for the subsequent tour of South Africa but withdrew due to personal reasons.Kishan's absence from domestic cricket towards the end of the 2023-24 season proved costly, as he was removed from the central contract list for not prioritizing domestic cricket. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has emphasized the importance of Kishan playing domestic cricket to regain his place in the Indian side.The Duleep Trophy marks the start of the new domestic season and will feature some of the finest players from the international circuit and emerging talents. The tournament will be played in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, and Bengaluru, Karnataka.Despite reports that senior players might be picked for the Duleep Trophy, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin have not been selected. Shubman Gill, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shreyas Iyer will captain the four teams.Kishan's decision to participate in the Duleep Trophy is a significant step in his bid to regain his place in the Indian team. He has featured in two Tests, 17 ODIs, and 11 T20Is for India in 2023 and was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified its stance on the participation of senior Indian cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated that the board does not consider it necessary for the seasoned duo to participate in the domestic tournament.Shah emphasized the importance of workload management for established players like Sharma and Kohli, who are integral to India's plans across all formats. He highlighted that international players in Australia and England do not typically participate in domestic cricket, and the BCCI should treat its players with respect.The BCCI's decision reflects a growing trend in international cricket, where boards are prioritizing the fitness and availability of their senior players. This approach aims to balance the need for domestic players to gain match practice with the importance of safeguarding the health of established stars.Shah acknowledged the significance of the Duleep Trophy as a platform for emerging players, but stressed that the board's focus is on ensuring the long-term fitness of its key players. He noted that other senior players, such as Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer, are participating in the Buchi Babu tournament.The BCCI's stance underscores the importance of strategic workload management in the context of a demanding international calendar. While the Duleep Trophy remains a valuable tournament for developing talent, the board's decision highlights the need to prioritize the fitness and longevity of its senior players.

Rishabh Pant, India's star wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket in the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which marks the commencement of India's 2024-25 domestic season on September 5. This will be Pant's first first-class appearance since his horrific car accident in December 2022.Pant's inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad is a significant development, as it signals his recovery from the injuries sustained in the accident. He has been undergoing rehabilitation and training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is now deemed fit to return to competitive cricket.However, Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, will not be part of any of the four Duleep Trophy squads. Shami is nearing full fitness and has begun bowling at full tilt, but he is targeting a comeback during the two-Test series against Bangladesh from September 19. He will continue his training under the NCA's supervision in Bengaluru.The Duleep Trophy squads also feature the return of Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, who had lost their central contracts for not prioritizing domestic cricket last season. Other top players included in the squads are KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and Kuldeep Yadav.Notably, Test captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah have been given an extended break ahead of India's home season. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who has been sidelined with a quadriceps tendon injury since January 2024, is also set to make a comeback in the Duleep Trophy.The selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, has rewarded domestic form, as evidenced by the inclusion of Mumbai all-rounder Musheer Khan. The 19-year-old had a breakout year, playing a key role in India's Under-19 World Cup squad and Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph.All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been included subject to fitness, as he is recovering from a sports hernia surgery in June.The Duleep Trophy 2024-25 squads are as follows:Team A: Shubman Gill (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (wk), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat Rawat.Team B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy (subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (wk)Team C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Umran Malik, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (wk), Sandeep WarrierTeam D: Shreyas Iyer (capt), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (wk), Saurabh Kumar

After a well-deserved break following the Sri Lanka series, the Indian cricket team will reconvene next month for a two-Test series against Bangladesh. This extended break is a rarity for Indian cricketers, providing much-needed respite after a grueling schedule.However, according to reports, India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah may be rested for the Bangladesh series. The decision stems from the team's hectic upcoming schedule and the spin-friendly conditions expected in Bangladesh. With Mohammed Shami likely to make a comeback, the BCCI selectors may opt to give Bumrah additional rest.Bumrah has a history of injury-related breaks, including a stress fracture surgery in March 2023. To ensure his fitness for the upcoming tour of Australia, the selectors may prioritize his recovery.Meanwhile, the BCCI has shifted one of the opening matches of the Duleep Trophy from Anantapur to Bengaluru to accommodate top players who are likely to feature in the Bangladesh series. Senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may be exempted from the tournament, while others like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and KL Rahul are expected to participate partially or fully.The Duleep Trophy, scheduled to begin on September 5, will provide an opportunity for players to prepare for the Bangladesh series. The two Tests will be played in Chennai (September 19) and Kanpur (September 27).

India's Test Stalwarts Set to Grace Duleep Trophy in Preparation for Bangladesh SeriesIn anticipation of India's upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, the Duleep Trophy, scheduled to commence on September 5 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, is set to feature a star-studded lineup. India captain Rohit Sharma and former skipper Virat Kohli are expected to lead the charge, alongside a host of other prominent players.The tournament will serve as a crucial platform for the Indian selectors to assess the form and readiness of key players ahead of the Bangladesh series. The Indian Express reports that the Duleep Trophy will showcase the talents of Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, and Kuldeep Yadav.However, ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will not participate in the Duleep Trophy due to an extended rest period. The senior selection committee will deliberate on Bumrah's availability for the two-Test series against Bangladesh.With India facing a demanding schedule of 10 Test matches over the next four months, including five against Australia, the Duleep Trophy will provide invaluable match practice for the players. The tournament will run from September 5 to September 24, offering ample opportunity for the players to showcase their skills and prepare for the challenges ahead.The inclusion of top players is expected to enhance the competitiveness and appeal of the Duleep Trophy. The tournament will provide a glimpse of India's Test team in the making, as the players strive to prove their worth and secure their place in the squad for the Bangladesh series.The first Test between India and Bangladesh will commence in Chennai on September 19. The Duleep Trophy will serve as a crucial stepping stone for the Indian team as they gear up for this important series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season, prioritizing player well-being and the development of women's cricket. The season will commence with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, followed by the Irani Cup and the first five league matches of the Ranji Trophy.The white-ball tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will follow. The Ranji Trophy will then resume with the final two league matches and the knockout stages.To ensure player welfare, the BCCI has incorporated an extended gap between matches, allowing for ample recovery time. Additionally, all Women's challenger tournaments will feature teams selected by the national selectors.The CK Nayudu Trophy will undergo a revamp, introducing a new points system that rewards balanced performances in batting and bowling. The toss will also be abolished for CK Nayudu Trophy matches, with the visiting team choosing whether to bat or bowl first.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of player well-being and the development of women's cricket in the scheduling process. He stated, "To prioritize player welfare, an extended gap between matches has been incorporated, ensuring ample time for recovery and sustained peak performance."The new points system in the CK Nayudu Trophy aims to encourage all-round performances and will be evaluated post-season for potential implementation in the Ranji Trophy in subsequent seasons.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced significant changes to the domestic cricket calendar for the 2024-25 season, including the splitting of the Ranji Trophy into two phases. The decision was made after consultations with a working group and senior players and coaches, who expressed concerns about the lack of game time due to weather disruptions in northern India during winters.The Ranji Trophy will now begin in October, with each team playing five league games during a five-week window before the white-ball competitions commence. The last two group-stage fixtures will be held after the completion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 18, followed by the knockout phase of the competition from February 8. The Ranji final is set to be held from February 26 to March 2.The BCCI has also introduced an extra day's gap between matches, making it a total of four days as against three, to prioritize player well-being and facilitate better recovery and preparation.In another significant move, the Duleep Trophy will not be played between zonal teams. Instead, the tournament has been whittled down to a four-team event with squads picked by the national selectors. This change aims to provide a wider pool of players, including those in the targeted group, with opportunities ahead of India's Test season.The CK Nayudu Trophy, an Under-23 tournament, will no longer feature tosses. The visiting team will instead be allowed to choose whether to bat or bowl first. The BCCI has also introduced a "revamped points system" to foster balanced performances, including points for batting and bowling prowess in the first innings, as well as for securing the first innings lead or achieving an outright victory.These changes are part of the BCCI's efforts to strengthen the core of domestic cricket and address concerns raised by players and coaches. The new schedule aims to provide more game time, reduce player fatigue, and enhance the competitiveness of domestic tournaments.