In BCCI’s latest update, players like Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik have been rested due to illness from the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Also, India’s ace all-rounder and best-ranked player in Tests as an all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja has been released from Team B of the Duleep Trophy.
Mohammad Siraj was supposed to be a part of Team B of the BCCI for the Duleep Trophy, and he is likely to be replaced by Navdeep Saini. At the same time, Gaurav Yadav will probably replace the ill Umran Malik from Team C.
While Ravindra Jadeja, who was also picked for Team B, has been released, nothing has been said about the update or the reasons concerned behind the withdrawal. Also, no replacement has been announced, as of now.
Who is Gaurav Yadav, the farmer boy who made it big in the Ranji Trophy?
Gaurav Yadav replaces Umran Malik from Duleep Trophy Group C (Image Credit: ESPNcricinfo)
The farmer’s boy had big dreams, though he had to persuade his father to make it to the field. In his career laden with injuries, he has grown to be a masterclass pacer. He gained popularity after his stunning 10-wicket match haul against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season playing for Puducherry.
The 32-year-old made his debut back in 2012, and since then, he has appeared in 37 first-class matches, taking 141 wickets. Having starred initially for Madhya Pradesh, he was a consistent performer and wicket-taker, with 70 wickets in the last three seasons from 2019 to 2023.
He made a move to Puducherry before the Ranji Trophy season of 2023-24, and starred for the team by picking 41 wickets in 11 innings, with 5 five-wicket hauls. This has gathered the interest of selectors as he has been named for the Duleep Trophy ahead of the Bangladesh Tests, which seems to be an opportunity for young Indian uncapped players.
On the other hand, Navdeep Saini, who is another player often facing injury concerns, has starred for India previously in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has once again been brought back to the Duleep Trophy and in sight of the national selectors.
With Jadeja’s withdrawal, fans and Indian spectators seem quite happy, as some say if the World No. 6 and No. 10 ranked batters in Tests by the ICC, Rohit and Virat, are barred from the tournament, then why would the ICC’s top-ranked Test all-rounder feature in a domestic tournament like the Duleep Trophy.
