Cricket India’s 100-ball Format Takes Shape as Squads Announced for Duleep Trophy
The Indian cricket board has announced the squads for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, a crucial domestic competition serving as a precursor to the country’s new 100-ball cricket format. Notable changes see Navdeep Saini replacing Mohammed Siraj in the India B squad, while Gaurav Yadav comes in for Siddharth Malik in the India C lineup.
Allrounder Ravindra Jadeja has also been released from the India B squad, though no replacement has been named for him. Gaurav Yadav, a 32-year-old fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh who now represents Puducherry, has been in impressive form, picking up 41 wickets in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy at an average of just 14.58.
“Saini, who played two Tests on India’s historic tour of Australia in 2020-21, will look to use the Duleep Trophy as a platform to make a comeback to the national team’s Test plans for the upcoming season.”
He has featured in two India A four-day games in the last season but struggled to make a significant impact. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s participation in the India B squad remains subject to his fitness as he recovers from a sports hernia surgery.
The Duleep Trophy’s first round will be played simultaneously in Anantapur and Bengaluru from September 5, with the second round clashing with India’s home Tests against Bangladesh starting September 19.
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