The 2024 Duleep Trophy, India’s domestic first-class tournament, initially seemed destined for a predictable conclusion. However, a last-minute twist unfolded as Mayank Agarwal’s India A snatched victory by claiming seven wickets in the final session, defeating India C. India C, needing 350 runs to win, was primarily focused on securing a draw and the trophy with a single point. Sai Sudharsan and Ishan Kishan had steered India C through to tea, seemingly on track to achieve their goal. But India A’s bowling attack dramatically shifted the tide of the match, delivering a remarkable victory.
India A also benefited from India D’s earlier win against India B, eliminating the latter from the three-way race. In recent seasons, the Duleep Trophy has been relegated to a mere selection tournament for the Indian team. The constant format changes have diluted the significance of winning the trophy. The traditional zonal format once provided bragging rights, but this year’s shift to a mixed pool system emphasized individual performances. Furthermore, teams were subject to frequent alterations, with players added and removed at will. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, initially sidelined due to injuries, were unexpectedly drafted back into their respective teams for the later rounds, without any official announcement.
Despite the changes, the thrilling finale served as a reminder that the Duleep Trophy still holds some relevance, particularly in the lead-up to the upcoming domestic season. It demonstrated the excitement that first-class cricket can generate—something the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is keen to revive as part of its efforts to restore the prestige of the longer format. The passionate crowds, present at every game in Anantapur, enhanced the spectacle and underscored the appeal of hosting domestic cricket in smaller towns.
The unexpected climax was even more surprising considering that a roster of star players, including Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul, had been disbanded after the first match to join the Bangladesh Test series. Their departure created an opportunity for seasoned first-class players to grab the selectors’ attention.
Ishan Kishan, returning to red-ball cricket after making his Test debut last July, showcased his form with a 126-ball 111 for India C. Abhimanyu Easwaran, still seeking a consistent run in the Indian team, displayed his talent with two centuries, one of which was an unbeaten knock for India B against India C in the second round. Despite scoring 309 runs, Easwaran was only the second-highest run-scorer, surpassed by Ricky Bhui, a veteran of domestic cricket. Bhui, representing India D, amassed 359 runs in six innings, including two centuries. Even now, the best these players can hope for is a call-up for an ‘A’ tour to Australia later this year, as overtaking Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sudharsan in the pecking order seems unlikely.
New names also emerged. One such player was Baroda’s Shashwat Rawat, a member of the victorious India A team. Rawat scored three fifty-plus innings in four outings, including a crucial 124 in the final round that helped India A solidify its grip on India C. This performance followed his 784-run tally in the Ranji Trophy last season and proved his ability to compete at the highest level. “This is the first time I’ve made it to this stage. It validated my efforts in last season’s Ranji Trophy, where I scored four hundreds in eight games, including a double century. I had a feeling I might be selected, so I was prepared,” said Rawat.
His teammate, 20-year-old Aaqib Khan, who replaced Akash Deep for the last two games, impressed with his seam bowling, taking eight wickets in four innings. He particularly savored dismissing India D’s Sanju Samson, forcing him into a mistimed pull shot with extra pace and bounce. “It’s a big deal for me. I’m still a junior; I made my debut recently. I faced Samson in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last year, so to take his wicket is a huge achievement. It’s an honour. The plan was formed on the ground — Mayank [Agarwal] bhaiyaa said I could try a bouncer if I wanted to since Samson was new at the crease,” Aaqib explained.
India C’s Anshul Kamboj was a standout performer in this year’s Duleep Trophy, claiming 16 wickets, including a remarkable eight-wicket haul. Other notable performers included Anshul Kamboj, the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, Manav Suthar and Shams Mulani. These players have strengthened their cases for a place in the Rest of India squad for the upcoming Irani Trophy.
This edition of the Duleep Trophy also tested India’s bench strength, particularly with a five-match series in Australia looming. The Anantapur wickets provided assistance to pacers, who were under scrutiny. During the last tour of Australia in 2021, India fielded as many as six fast bowlers at one point. Akash Deep’s nine-wicket haul in the first round earned him a spot in the squad for the first Bangladesh Test, positioning him as the first backup to the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami. However, the selectors will have even more options after strong showings from Mukesh Kumar (16 wickets), Navdeep Saini (15 wickets), and Arshdeep Singh (13 wickets). The return of Avesh Khan and Prasidh Krishna from injury has further bolstered India’s pace options for the big tour. Some of these pacers might even get an earlier opportunity, with the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand.
For the batsmen in Anantapur, the tournament yielded mixed results. Shreyas Iyer scored 154 runs in six innings but was let down by his attacking instincts on several occasions. Suryakumar Yadav, who returned to red-ball cricket in 2022/23 after nearly three seasons, managed only eight runs in his sole Test innings against Australia earlier this year. Still hopeful for a comeback, Suryakumar participated in the final round, scoring 5 and 16 runs, yet showed little inclination to restrain his natural, aggressive style. In contrast, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson struck centuries, making positive strides. A strong showing in the Ranji Trophy could pave the way for Kishan’s return to the top tier of Indian cricket. Meanwhile, solid performances from Sudharsan and Padikkal should help alleviate concerns about India’s batting transition, expected to begin after the 2025 World Test Championship final, when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are likely to retire.
