National selectors find new pace option for upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The prestigious Duleep Trophy 2024 came to an end on Sunday with India A clinching the domestic red-ball title. After this tournament, experts and selectors have been wondering about India’s Test cricket future.
In recent years, India’s Test team has found huge success, especially on home soil. However, with upcoming tours, including the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, the need for fresh talent and backup options has never been more clear.
One of the key take away’s from this year’s Duleep Trophy has been the upcoming new pace bowling options. Arshdeep Singh, in particular, delivered a career-best performance of 9 for 40 in the final round.
Apart from Arshdeep Singh, it was Khaleel Ahmed who caught the selectors’ attention with his consistent performances in the earlier rounds. The competition between these two left-arm pacers has given the national selectors a chance to address the long-standing issue of India’s fast-bowling arsenal.
The former Australian skipper Ian Chapell highlighted the requirement for a left-arm pacer in the Indian Test squad to retain their Border Gavaskar Trophy. “It would be ideal if the mercurial Mohammed Shami is fit for Australia but the presence of a good left-arm paceman would also improve India’s variety in attack,” Ian Chapell as quoted by Hindustan Times.
