By: Sandipan Bose
After scheduling the Duleep Trophy in Greater Noida, the Indian cricket board had spoken about how Virat Kohli & Co could be playing the event to pass on their opinion on the pink-ball.
However, the selectors later devised a plan of their own. They, apparently, changed their strategy of only giving match practice to those who didn’t have a consistent run in the West Indies Test series.
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They opted not to expose Virat Kohli, who would face the issue of burn-out in the course of 13 Test matches at home.
With the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay already playing the Duleep Trophy, a few more names like Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma would only make the Duleep Trophy a success.
Will it be good for these players?
For a cricketer, nothing is bigger than a match practice. Take the example of Jadeja, who was in perfect shape of the West Indies series and started off well in the practice matches with his all-round shows.
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Due to team management’s decision to play three fast bowlers from the very first Test in Antigua, Jadeja wasn’t accommodated in the playing XI. It wasn’t his fault that the team didn’t pick him to play.
Therefore, a Duleep Trophy participation would only benefit a player like Jadeja. He is one of the most important player when the Test series against New Zealand starts in Kanpur from September 22.
The Saurashtra left-armer doesn’t need to worry also because he would be bowling under the watchful eye of India coach Anil Kumble, who would also be in the Duleep Trophy final.
