5 Uncapped Players To Watch Out For In Duleep Trophy 2024

South Zone won Duleep Trophy 2023 (X)South Zone won Duleep Trophy 2023 (X)

The Duleep Trophy 2024, set to kick off on September 5, promises to be a cricketing spectacle as it brings together some of India's finest talents.

The tournament will feature prominent names like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja.

While these established stars will undoubtedly steal the spotlight, the real intrigue lies in the emerging talents who will be eager to make a mark on the grand stage.

Here’s a closer look at five uncapped players to watch out for in the Duleep Trophy 2024.

5. Tanush Kotian

Tanush Kotian (X)Tanush Kotian (X)

Mumbai’s off-spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian is one to watch closely. Having enjoyed incredible success in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, Kotian was instrumental in securing Mumbai's 42nd title.

With 502 runs at an average of 41.83 and 29 wickets at a remarkable 16.96 in just 10 matches, he was rightfully named the Player of the Tournament. His first-class records are equally impressive, with 75 wickets at 26.38 and 1152 runs at 42.66, including a century and 11 fifties.

Representing Shubman Gill-led Team A, Kotian will be looking to build on his stellar performances and consolidate his reputation as a formidable all-rounder. He’s the kind of player who can turn the tide of a match single-handedly—someone the opposition will be wary of.

4. Abhimanyu Easwaran

Abhimanyu Easwaran (X)Abhimanyu Easwaran (X)

Leading India B in the Duleep Trophy 2024, Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran is a seasoned campaigner who has been on the fringes of national selection for years. With over 7,000 runs in 94 First-Class matches, Easwaran has consistently knocked on the doors of the Indian Test team but has yet to find a spot.

He’s been a standby player on several occasions, including the 2021 Test series against England and the ICC World Test Championship 2021 final. Despite being included in India’s squad for the 2023-24 series against South Africa, he didn’t make it to the playing XI.

Easwaran knows this tournament could be his last throw of the dice to cement a spot in the national team, especially with a packed Test schedule on the horizon. He’s got a point to prove, and the Duleep Trophy might just be the platform where he finally breaks through.


3. Musheer Khan

Musheer Khan (X)Musheer Khan (X)

Following in the footsteps of his elder brother Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan has been making waves in domestic cricket. A right-handed middle-order batter, Musheer showcased his talent by scoring a double century for Mumbai against Baroda in the last Ranji season.

The 19-year-old has already accumulated 529 runs in just six First-Class matches, and his performances in the Duleep Trophy 2024 could catapult him into the limelight.

Representing India B, Musheer’s Bradmanesque average of 108.25 in the last Ranji season, including two hundreds and a fifty, has set the stage for him to shine. He’s a diamond in the rough, and this tournament could be his chance to polish his skills and make a name for himself on the national stage.

2. Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana (X)Harshit Rana (X)

Harshit Rana is another young gun to keep an eye on. The 22-year-old pacer from Kolkata Knight Riders made waves during the IPL 2024, finishing with 19 wickets in 13 matches and playing a crucial role in KKR’s victorious campaign.

Although he’s earned national call-ups for T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Rana is yet to make his debut for India. With 28 wickets in just 7 First-Class matches, he will lead India D's bowling attack under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy in the Duleep Trophy.

Rana’s fiery pace and ability to pick up wickets in crunch situations make him a player who can win matches from nowhere. He’s in the fast lane to national selection, and a strong showing in this tournament could see him don the Indian colours sooner rather than later.

1. Nitish Kumar Reddy

Nitish Kumar Reddy (X)Nitish Kumar Reddy (X)

Nitish Kumar Reddy is a player who’s been turning heads with his all-round performances. The IPL 2024 Emerging Player of the Year is a right-handed batter and a medium-pace bowler, a combination that is in short supply in Indian cricket.

In the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, he scored 366 runs at an average of 36.60 and bagged 25 wickets at 18.76, showcasing his all-round abilities. With the highly anticipated Test series against Australia looming, Reddy knows that all eyes will be on him during the Duleep Trophy.

A standout performance could see him fast-tracked into the Indian Test team, especially given India’s ongoing search for a reliable fast-bowling all-rounder. Reddy is playing with house money, and if he hits the jackpot, the rewards could be immense.