KL Rahul, Padikkal, Siraj Set For Duleep Trophy Final

Tilak, Vaibhav and Ishan’s participation rests on Gambhir’s call

Veteran opener KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal and seasoned pacer Mohammed Siraj have been asked to play South Zone’s Duleep Trophy final against East Zone, beginning September 6 in Chennai.

The participation of South Zone captain Tilak Varma, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, however, will depend on the decision of India head coach Gautam Gambhir.

“Rahul, Padikkal and Siraj do not have any competitive cricket right now. The national selectors want any India player who is available should play the Duleep Trophy final. The trio played last on August 27. The next they will play is September 27 against West Indies in the ODIs,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

Padikkal is not part of India’s ODI squad and could instead feature in the India A series. However, the selectors want him to play the Duleep Trophy final if available.

“Now Padikkal is not a part of ODIs so he might play India A series. But Duleep final if there is a chance, they should play,” the source said.

Gambhir To Decide Trio’s Availability

Sooryavanshi, Kishan and Tilak are all part of India’s T20I team, leaving their availability for the domestic final in Gambhir’s hands.

“The Indian team will assemble in Delhi on either September 9 or 10. If head coach wants all three to report as per T20I team’s itinerary, then the trio can’t play,” the source said.

“But if head coach wants them to play the final and report to Delhi on September 10 late evening, they can also do that,” the source added.

The Duleep Trophy final begins on September 6, giving the three players a window to represent South before joining the national camp.

Agarkar To Attend Duleep Final

Meanwhile, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar will be present in Chennai to watch the Duleep Trophy final.

Agarkar’s future remains a subject of interest after he was excused from the crucial BCCI review meeting because of family commitments. His current contract expires on October 4, and it remains to be seen whether BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia discusses a possible extension with him.

Agarkar’s presence at the final will also give the selection committee an opportunity to assess players ahead of the upcoming international assignments.

BCCI Seeks Japan Visas For Three Pacers

The BCCI is also working on sending Mayank Yadav, Kartik Tyagi and left-arm pacer Mohsin Khan to the Asian Games in Japan as net bowlers for the Indian men’s team.

The trio have been requested by India head coach VVS Laxman to assist with the team’s training sessions.

“It has been a practice for the BCCI to carry net bowlers and the trio are proven T20 performers,” the source said.

The three players will not be part of the official Indian contingent and are expected to remain with the team only until India’s opening men’s match on September 26.

Their travel is subject to the BCCI securing Japanese visas in time, with the Indian team scheduled to depart Delhi on September 20.