Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has shown surprise over veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence in the squads for the Duleep Trophy 2024. Basit also opined that Pujara would have been a key batter for the 2024-25 Australia tour had he been kept in contention for the longer format. However, the BCCI, on Wednesday, August 14, named the four squads for the first round of the Duleep Trophy 2024, which will take place from September 5 to September 8. Apart from Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson and Rinku Singh are absent as well.

Sharing his thoughts on the squads, Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel,  “I saw the teams and I am surprised that 3-4 names are not there. Ajinkya Rahane is not there. Cheteshwar Pujara is not there. Sanju Samson is not there. Rinku Singh is not there. Shivam Dube has been picked. I think he is being readied as an all-rounder. Let’s see who performs in the Duleep Trophy.

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“Pujara could have been of good use in Australia. I am surprised that he is not there despite Gautam Gambhir being there [as India coach]. Even Rinku Singh in not there. Again, considering the Gambhir factor, this is rather surprising,” the 53-year-old added.

Among the players selected for the first round of the Duleep Trophy 2024, talented batter Shubman Gill will lead Team A and Abhimanyu Easwaran has been named captain of Team B as well, Team C will be led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, whereas Shreyas Iyer has been given charge of Team D as well.

KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are some of the key players selected for the first round of Duleep Trophy 2024.