(AFP Photo)
On Wednesday, August 14, the BCCI used X (formerly Twitter) to unveil the squads for the 2024 Duleep Trophy. Set to kick off on September 5, this year’s tournament will see four teams competing for the ultimate prize.
Several prominent Indian players, including Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill, are set to participate. However, former Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane did not make it into any of the squads.
The 36-year-old right-handed batter, who captained Mumbai to victory in the Ranji Trophy earlier this year, last represented India against the West Indies in July 2023. After underperforming in the two Tests against the Windies, he was dropped from the squad for the South Africa series and also overlooked for the home series against England. Despite this, Rahane remained hopeful of a comeback.
His exclusion from the Duleep Trophy surprised many fans, but Rahane has since made a strong return to form. In the England Domestic One-Day Cup, he has scored consecutive fifties for Leicestershire: 62 runs against Gloucestershire on August 14 and 70 runs against Hampshire on August 16.
With his impressive innings, Rahane has made a strong statement to the selectors, showing he still has plenty of cricket left in him and is eager to compete for a spot.
India will play 10 Tests over the next four months, and if Rahane continues his good form and excels in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season, he could secure a spot in the squad for the Australia tour, beginning November 22 in Perth.
