Duleep Trophy 2024: Spotlight on Easwaran, Arshdeep, and Kotian’s Exceptional Form

2024-10-01

The Duleep Trophy 2024 has wrapped up, showcasing a range of talent and performances that have caught the attention of selectors and cricket enthusiasts alike. Among the standout performers, three players have made significant strides in their careers: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Arshdeep Singh, and Tanush Kotian. Each of these players has not only showcased their skills but has also enhanced their reputations, making a compelling case for future selection in the Indian national team.

Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran has long been a name associated with potential, and this tournament may just be the breakthrough moment he needed. With an impressive tally of 25 first-class centuries to his name, Easwaran is among the most accomplished openers on the fringes of the Indian team. In the recently concluded Duleep Trophy, he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer, notching up two centuries, just behind Ricky Bui.

Despite the incumbency of established openers like Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Easwaran's form could not have come at a better time. With an upcoming tour of Australia, the Indian team is keen to identify a reliable backup opener, and Easwaran has made all the right noises. A strong performance in the upcoming Ranji season and potential contributions in the Irani Cup will further bolster his chances for a national call-up.

Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh has predominantly made headlines in T20 cricket, but his performances in the Duleep Trophy showcased a different facet of his talent: his prowess in red-ball cricket. Throughout the tournament, Arshdeep demonstrated his ability to swing the ball both ways, troubling batsmen with his late swing and subtle pitch deviations. His success was evident as he claimed 13 wickets across three games, including a match-winning 6 for 40 in the final round.

Having made his first-class debut nearly five years ago, Arshdeep has had limited opportunities in red-ball formats. However, his performances in this tournament indicate that he is ready to compete for a spot as a left-arm seamer, a role that has been lacking depth since Zaheer Khan’s retirement. With the likes of Yash Dayal and Khalil Ahmed in the mix, the competition for left-arm seamers is heating up, and Arshdeep has positioned himself as a strong contender.

Tanush Kotian

In the quest for the next spin sensation, Tanush Kotian has emerged as a standout player. While seasoned spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are currently leading the charge, the urgency for a fresh spin option might not be immediately apparent. However, Kotian's impressive performances in the Duleep Trophy, where he claimed 10 wickets in just three matches, have positioned him firmly on the selectors’ radar.

Kotian possesses several attributes that make him a valuable asset: his height allows him to generate bounce, while his ability to impart revs and maintain a consistent line and length makes him a formidable bowler. Moreover, he has shown the capability to contribute valuable runs, further increasing his utility in the squad. While there are other contenders like Manav Suthar, whose initial performances were impressive, Kotian’s consistency throughout the tournament speaks volumes about his readiness for higher challenges.