Why do you think the Indian cricket team did not take much time to cope with the team changes when players like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar retired?
It was due to the strong foundation created in the Indian domestic circuit. Indian domestic cricket is regarded as one of the bests in the world.
For red-ball cricket, there is Ranji Trophy, for limited-overs cricket, there is Vijay Hazare (50 overs) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20).
The Mushtaq Ali Trophy is played just around the IPL auctions or before the IPL. This motivates the domestic players to perform well in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Further, the best players get a chance to play in the IPL and gain some cricketing knowledge from the international players around.
Indian team is consistently maintaining its top position in the ICC rankings in all the three formats due to this appreciable management in the domestic circuit.
The World Cup 2019 has ended and the next World Cup being in India in 2023, the focus will be there on the domestic performances.
This article covers the top performers of the Indian domestic season of the year 2018-19 from all the three formats in whom the Indian team management can invest.
RANJI TROPHY (RED-BALL):
MILIND KUMAR
He is an allrounder from Sikkim who was the highest run-getter in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19. He made 1331 runs at an average of 121 in 14 innings. Moreover, he has made eight first-class centuries in his career until now, out of which six came in this season. Further, during this tournament, he scored his career-best 261 runs against Manipur at Kolkata. The added advantage of having Kumar in the team is he can bowl as well. He has one five-wicket haul in his first-class kitty. Also, he bats at number five for Sikkim. Therefore, he can be a tough competitor for someone like Ajinkya Rahane or Hanuma Vihari.
ADITYA SARWATE
He is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler from Vidarbha who was the third-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19. He picked 55 wickets in eleven matches, which includes six five-wicket hauls. Further, he was awarded as the Man of the Match in Ranji Trophy final for his match-winning spell of 11/157, which are his career-best match figures. Moreover, he scored important 49 runs with the bat in the second innings. He has made two first-class centuries as well. With Kuldeep Yadav performing hot and cold in recent past, Sarwate is one of the favourites who could replace him.
TANVEER UL-HAQ
He is a left-arm medium-fast bowler from Rajasthan who was the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2018-19. He picked 51 wickets in ten matches, which includes two five-wicket hauls. Further, during this tournament, he got his career-best figures of 8/53 against Odisha at Bhubaneswar. He being a lefty would bring a variety in the Indian pace bowling department. Therefore, this can be the reason the Indian team may invest in him in the future.
VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY (50 OVERS):
KARN KAUSHAL
He is a right-handed opening batsman from Uttarakhand who was the fourth-highest run-getter in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19. He made 489 runs at an average of 70 in eight matches. Further, during this tournament, he scored his career-best 202 runs against Sikkim at Nadiad. He became the first batsman to score a double hundred in the history of Vijay Hazare Trophy. Remember, this was his debut season for his state.
SHUBMAN GILL
Gill has already made his name at India A and IPL level after winning the U19 World cup in New Zealand in 2018. He was the Player of the Series of that U19 World Cup. Further, he was the eight highest run-getter in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19. He made 418 runs at an average of 60 in seven matches. Recently, against West Indies A, he made 218 runs with an average of 55 in four matches. Moreover, he has already played two ODIs for India. However, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have played for long now for India and have won many matches. Therefore, players like Gill and Kaushal will have to score runs consistently at the domestic level to remain in the eyes of the selectors.
RAHUL CHAHAR
Chahar had a decent IPL 2019 with champions Mumbai Indians. But, before that, he demonstrated his skills in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018-19. He was the third-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets in nine matches. Yuzvendra Chahal has been rested for T20Is for the forthcoming tour of West Indies. Therefore, selectors have picked Chahar, who will most likely make his debut for India in the first T20I against West Indies.
SYED MUSHTAQ ALI TROPHY AND IPL (T20)
SHREYAS IYER
He has already played six T20Is and six ODIs for India and was dropped afterwards. Further, he is the captain of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL. He led his team considerably well, however, they were knocked out in the play-offs. Iyer was the second-highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2018-19. There he made 484 runs at an average of 61 in 10 matches. Moreover, in the IPL 2019, he was in the top ten batsmen list. Therefore, for his good overall performance last year, he has been selected in both the ODIs and T20Is team for the upcoming tour of West Indies.
SHREYAS GOPAL
Gopal made his T20 debut in 2014 for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. At present, he is playing for Rajasthan Royals. In the IPL 2019, he was the fourth-highest wicket-taker. There he took 20 wickets in 14 matches. The other advantage is he can bat as well. Presently, he holds a strike rate of 120. Therefore, this can be the reason the Indian team may invest in him in the future.
SURYAKUMAR YADAV
Yadav made his T20 debut in 2010 for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Since then he has played 138 T20s and made 2620 runs at an average of 29. He was the sixth-highest run-getter in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2018-19. He made 360 runs at an average of 51 in 10 matches. Further, he had a decent IPL. He was the second-highest run-getter for Mumbai Indians. After Manish Pandey, if selectors want to try someone it should be Suryakumar Yadav.
Wrapping Up
In India, selectors do not pick a player based on just one good season. They select a player when he performs efficiently season after season. The recent case is of Mayank Agarwal. Therefore, the players from above who are yet to be selected will have to score lots of runs or pick lots of wickets to get picked first for India A and then for India.
Thanks for Reading!
Author – Parth Baxi
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