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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced significant changes to the squads participating in the second round of the Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic tournament that serves as a platform for emerging cricketers to showcase their talent and compete for national selection. The second round of the tournament is scheduled to begin on September 12th in Anantapur, with several key players being replaced due to their inclusion in the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.
One of the most notable changes involves the India-A squad, which has seen the departure of several prominent players who have earned their place in the national team. Captain Shubman Gill, K.L. Rahul, wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and fast bowler Akash Deep will all be unavailable for the Duleep Trophy second round as they have been selected for the Bangladesh Test series. Their absence has created opportunities for other promising players to step up and fill the void.
To replace Gill, Railways' Pratham Singh has been included in the India-A squad. Vidarbha captain and wicketkeeper-batter Akshay Wadkar has been named as Rahul's replacement, while 19-year-old Andhra batter Shaik Rasheed will fill Jurel's shoes. Mumbai's left-arm spinner Shams Mulani will replace Kuldeep, and 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh medium-pacer Aaqib Khan has been brought in to replace Akash Deep. Mayank Agarwal has been appointed as the new captain of the India-A team.
The India-B squad has also undergone some changes. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, who are both part of the Indian national team, have been replaced by Suyash Prabhudessai (Goa) and Rinku Singh (Uttar Pradesh), respectively. Madhya Pradesh's Himanshu Mantri has been added to the squad as well. While Sarfaraz Khan has been selected for the India Test squad, he will still be available for the second round of the Duleep Trophy.
India-D has seen one major change with Axar Patel, who is part of the India squad, being replaced by Nishant Sindhu (Haryana). Tushar Deshpande has been ruled out of the second round due to a niggle and will be replaced by Vidwath Kaverappa (Karnataka). The India-C squad remains unchanged.
The changes announced by the BCCI selection committee highlight the competitive nature of Indian cricket and the constant churn in the national squad. The Duleep Trophy serves as a crucial platform for players to prove their worth and earn their place in the Indian team. The second round promises to be an exciting and competitive affair, with several new faces vying for recognition and a chance to impress selectors.
Source: BCCI announces changes in squads for Duleep Trophy second round