In India, somehow, it has become a trend — to break into the Indian side, notwithstanding the format, one has to shine in the IPL to grab the eyeballs. One of the more recent examples has to be that of Nitish Kumar Reddy.. and even someone like a Harshit Rana. Then of course, there is Umran Malik and Mayank Yadav‘s example too. Yes, Nitish has performed well for India in the IND vs AUS Test series, but maybe time has come that the selectors start to look beyond the IPL, for India material players.
BCCI Should Reward Domestic Performers in IND vs ENG
Or else, what is the use of having so many domestic tournaments — Ranji Trophy, Duldeep Trophy, Irani Trophy, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy? Team India is to play 5 T20I, 3 ODIs vs England, and then subsequently, the Champions Trophy. While one can understand that for the ODIs, the selectors will have to pick more-or-less the same squad, but then nothing stops them from rewarding star performers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, by including them in the T20I squad.
Let’s leave behind the bigwigs for a moment — Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma will find their way through anyways. It is time to talk about Arzan Nagwaswalla, Chintan Gaja, Prabhsimran Singh, and Abhishek Porels of the world. By no means they are the best-performers in the both the tournaments, but have certainly left their mark in both with consistent performances.
Prabhsimran Singh, Arzan Nagwaswalla in Contention?
Arzan undoubtedly, has been a wicket-taking machine this year. In the T20 tournament, in 6 matches, he picked up 13 wickets and an economy of 9.28. And went a step ahead in the 50-over format, where he has claimed 14 wickets in 7 matches, at an average of 18. Then his Gujarat teammate Chintan Gaja has been as impressive. In Mushtaq Ali, in 6 matches he picked up 7 wickets. While in VHT, he has picked up 16 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 15.
On to the batters now. Prabhsimran Singh was retained by PBKS, so he the selectors might back him at some point. And he has the numbers in domestic cricket too. IN VHT, in 7 matches, he is on a rampage and has scored 484 runs at an average of 96 with 3 hundreds to his name. His strike-rate is 130. In SMAT, in 6 matches he scored 207 runs at an average of 34. Lastly, Abhishek Porel has been consistent in both formats too.
- Borussia Dortmund vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction, Match Preview & Live Streaming, January 11, 2025: Bundesliga
- IPL 2025: Reasons why KKR may not retain their IPL title
- HIL 2024-25 Points Table: Undefeated Tamil Nadu Dragons secure the top position
- East Bengal Playing XI: Major crisis for Red and Gold Brigade as Anwar Ali misses crucial clash
- Ruturaj Gaikwad, Hardik Pandya & Arshdeep Singh in focus as Vijay Hazare quarters begin before IND vs ENG
In 9 matches of SMAT, he scored 335 runs at an average of 42, and a strike-rate close to 160. In VHT, in 7 matches he has 317 runs at an average of 52 and has scored a ton. If these performances are no rewarded in the IND vs ENG series, then time might actually go for them, with cut-throat competition always.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Hardik Pandya & Arshdeep Singh in focus as Vijay Hazare quarters begin before IND vs ENG
Top Stories
