The 2024-25 senior men’s domestic season in India is set to kick off with the Duleep Trophy, scheduled from September 5th to 22nd. This year, the tournament boasts a revamped format featuring India A, India B, India C, and India D teams competing in a round-robin structure, eliminating the knockout stages. With the Indian team gearing up for home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the Duleep Trophy presents an opportunity for both pacers and spinners to impress selectors and vie for a coveted spot in the national squad.
Here are five bowlers to keep an eye on in the 2024 edition of the Duleep Trophy:
Arshdeep Singh:
Having established himself as a force in the limited-overs format with 83 wickets in over 50 T20Is at an impressive economy rate of 8.37, Arshdeep was instrumental in India’s triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. With Mohammed Shami currently recovering from injury and the workload of multi-format bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being closely monitored, a strong performance in the Duleep Trophy could pave the way for Arshdeep to earn a chance with the red ball at the international level.
Sai Kishore:
As the captain of Tamil Nadu, Sai Kishore guided his team to the semifinals of the 2024 Ranji Trophy while also topping the wicket-taking charts with an impressive 53 scalps. He has also significantly improved his batting prowess, proving to be a valuable lower-order batsman for Tamil Nadu. While securing a place in the Indian squad alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, both left-arm spinners, may be challenging, consistently showcasing his bowling skills in the Duleep Trophy could solidify his case should an opportunity arise due to injury.
Avesh Khan:
Avesh Khan first caught attention with his red-ball performance in the 2018-19 season, claiming 35 wickets at an average of 16.37 for Madhya Pradesh. Since making his debut in the shorter formats for India, he has picked up 34 wickets in 31 international matches. In first-class cricket, he boasts an impressive record of 165 wickets at an average of 22.49, including two 10-wicket match hauls. The Duleep Trophy offers a platform for him to make a compelling case for selection in the Test squad.
Akash Deep:
Akash Deep’s Test debut against England in Ranchi was a promising start, as he dismissed the English top order on his way to a three-wicket haul in the first innings. This debut came after consistent wicket-taking performances at the domestic level and during ‘A’ tours to South Africa and England. While he has excelled in white-ball cricket for Bengal, earning him an IPL contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Akash Deep has also impressed with the red ball, claiming 107 wickets in 31 matches at an average of 23.70.
Washington Sundar:
Often touted as the potential successor to R. Ashwin as India’s premier off-spinner, Washington Sundar has faced setbacks due to injuries and a lack of consistent rhythm, limiting his opportunities. Despite this, he has shown glimpses of his talent, playing four Tests for India, including an unbeaten 96 against England in 2021. While he is yet to showcase his full potential with the red ball at the international level, he will be eager to translate his positive performances against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka into a strong showing in the Duleep Trophy.
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