The 2024 edition of the Duleep Trophy has garnered well-deserved attention, especially after a long time. We are all set to see top Indian international players showcase their immense talent at this domestic tournament. The tournament is set to start from September 5 in Andhra Pradesh, with the first round featuring four teams in a long-format competition.
If we take a closer look at the team squads, it is clear that several Indian Test team players, who frequently feature in the national team, are participating. Additionally, many international players who might have been sidelined by the Indian camp are also competing in this tournament. From Group A to Group D, each team boasts numerous big stars. However, the question that is generating spark is whether Sanju Samson will be playing alongside other superstars or not.
Will Sanju Samson play in the Duleep Trophy?
Sanju Samson, who has had a poor outing in the Indian jersey since the T20 World Cup, and in T20Is, where he did not score well against Sri Lanka and recorded ducks in the 2nd and 3rd T20Is, has not been included in the Duleep Trophy squad. There could be many reasons for his exclusion, but one possibility is that the selectors may view him more as a white-ball player. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper has played 62 first-class matches so far, scoring 3,623 runs at an average of 38.54.
Who are the top players playing in the Duleep Trophy?
As mentioned, there are four teams in the Duleep Trophy. Team A will be captained by Shubman Gill, with senior players like Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav also featuring in the squad.
In Group B, the team will be captained by Bengal batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was part of the Indian Test squad against South Africa when Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out. Under his captaincy, players like Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Washington Sundar will feature.
Team C will see Ruturaj Gaikwad as the leader, with “Mr. 360” Suryakumar Yadav also part of the squad. Emerging batter Sai Sudharsan, whose performance against South Africa in South Africa is still appreciated by many where he scored two back-to-back fifties, will also be included.
Team D will be led by star batter Shreyas Iyer, with players like Ishan Kishan, who is currently playing in the Buchi Babu tournament, and Arshdeep Singh also featuring.
