The upcoming edition of the Duleep Trophy, marking the start of the red-ball cricket season in India, is set to showcase some of the country’s top international players alongside emerging talents. The tournament will kick off on September 5, 2024, with matches scheduled in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, and M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. This year’s Duleep Trophy will feature prominent Indian cricketers like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and several others. However, notable absentees include seasoned stars Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma, who have opted out of the domestic competition.
Former India batter Suresh Raina recently commented on the absence of Kohli and Sharma, suggesting that their participation could have been beneficial in preparing for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. “Yes, they should’ve played. We haven’t played red-ball cricket since the IPL ended, and with a crucial Test series ahead, it’s important to get accustomed to four-day cricket and understand how the pitch behaves on Day 4,” Raina told Sports Tak during a Legends League Cricket (LLC) event in Delhi. Despite his stance, Raina acknowledged the players’ maturity, noting that Kohli and Sharma would be prepared when they regroup for training, adding that sometimes personal time is also necessary.
India is set to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series beginning September 19, which will be India’s first red-ball outing since their series against England earlier this year. Raina emphasized that Bangladesh should not be underestimated, particularly because of their strong spin bowling attack. He also noted that the Duleep Trophy offers a valuable opportunity for players to fine-tune their skills ahead of the series and the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. “Now, a team for Tests will be formed. Top players playing in the Duleep Trophy is a great initiative by the BCCI. Red-ball cricket helps players learn a lot,” Raina said to ANI.
He also stressed the importance of not taking Bangladesh lightly, highlighting their competent spin attack and experienced players. “You cannot take Bangladesh lightly as they have a fine spin bowling attack and some good players who have done well for a long time. This series will be a fine match practice for the tour to Australia,” Raina added.
In addition to the Duleep Trophy, the Legends League Cricket (LLC) will also take place in India and Qatar from September 11 to October 5, offering fans more exciting cricket action in the weeks to come.
