Duleep Trophy: Sarfaraz Khan, Rinku Singh and Sai Sudharsan’s opportunity to glitter

Sarfaraz Khan First Class Career: Matches 37| Runs 3505| Average 79.65

It surprised many when the young Mumbaikar was overlooked for the tour of the Caribbean despite being in stellar form in domestic cricket. However, Sarfaraz, who will be representing West Zone in the Duleep Trophy, will have another opportunity to rack up the pressure on the selectors.

He can score runs and score them at a brisk pace and can play impactful innings that can take the game away from the opposition in a session or two. He has already shown he can stitch together marathon knocks or go at a rapid rate when needed.

Sai Sudharsan First Class Career: Matches 7| Runs 572| Average 47.66

The Indian top order has been lacking a solid left-hander at the top since Gautam Gambhir. Tamil Nadu’s Sudharsan can be the ideal candidate to fill that role. The left-hander has an excellent defensive technique and solid temperament which gives him the ability to bat for a long period of time. He also can score runs quickly, when needed.

Unlike Sarfaraz, Sudharsan has only a small sample size as he had played only seven First-Class games. However, his stint with Gujarat Titans showed he is ready to handle the pressure at the highest level when he scored 96 in the final of the IPL 2023. This is his chance for him to show he can deliver the goods at the longest format.

Shahbaz Ahmed First Class Career: Matches: 27: Bowling: Wickets 82| Average 21.79|| Batting: Runs 1538| Average 43.94

Named the vice-captain of East Zone Shahbaz Ahmed had grown leaps and bounds in the last few years. He also had a taste of international cricket in 2022 when he did well in his ODI debut against South Africa.

The 28-year-old has been a key all-rounder for Bengal in both aspects of the game. He has been able to contribute some valuable late-middle-order runs when his side needed him. With the ball, he has been outstanding, not only does he have the ability to pick wickets with his guile but also can bowl tight long spells and hold an end up when wickets are not falling.

Prabhsimran Singh First Class Career: Matches 11| Runs 689| Average 49.21

The Punjab opener has been crucial for his state side to get swift starts in the 2022/23 Ranji Season. He has been fearless and his attacking approach can push the opposition on the back foot right from the word go. In addition to his batting abilities, Prabhsimran can keep wickets as well and is selected as the lone keeper in the North Zone squad.

With KS Bharat finding it tough at the top level for India the keeping position might be up for grabs. However, similar to Ishan Kishan who is a part of the Test squads as a backup keeper Prabhsimran does not keep regularly for his state side in red-ball cricket. Duleep Trophy might provide the opportunity for the 22-year-old to showcase his skills with both bat and gloves.

Rinku Singh First Class Career: Matches 40| Runs 2875| Average 59.89

The pocket-size dynamite has been a run machine at the first-class level for a sustained period now. His calmness to score runs under pressure makes him stand out compared to his peers. The left-hander has looked comfortable in facing both spin and pace. He also looked comfortable while facing extreme pace at the IPL level.

Like Sudharsan, Rinku is a left-hander. Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh in the past have been thrown in the late-middle of the Test line-up in order to provide a counter punch when needed but were inconsistent in delivering. The 25-year-old might be the candidate to carry out the role. Not only does he have a jaw-dropping average he also strikes at 70.88. After a breakthrough IPL 2023, a good Duleep Trophy might be all Rinku Singh needs for an Indian call-up.