Dhruv Jurel, Yash Dayal named in Irani Cup squad subject to Kanpur Test participation

Irani Cup 2024: Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel and fast bowler Yash Dayal were named in the Rest of India, but their availability will be subject to their participation in the second Test against Bangladesh. The Irani Cup between Mumbai and Rest of India will be played in Lucknow from October 1-5.

In Short

• Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead Rest of India in the Irani Cup, starting October 1
• Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal are also part of India's squad for 2nd Test vs Bangladesh
• Sarfaraz Khan is likely to play for Mumbai in the Irani Cup

The BCCI men's selection committee on Tuesday announced the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup match against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai. Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal have been named in the Rest of India squad, but their participation is subject to their selection in the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh, starting September 27. The Irani Cup match will be played at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Lucknow from October 1 to 5.

Yash Dayal and Dhruv Jurel were retained in India's unchanged 16-man squad for the second Test against Bangladesh.

The BCCI also said Sarfaraz Khan will be released if he is not picked in the XI for the second Test. Sarfaraz will play for Mumbai, led by Ajinkya Rahane, in the Irani Cup match.

Dhruv Jurel, Yash Dayal and Sarfaraz Khan are unlikely to find a place in the XI for the second Test. Rishabh Pant will retain his wicketkeeper-batter spot while KL Rahul is likely to be retained ahead of Sarfaraz.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named as the Rest of India captain while Abimanyu Easwaran will be his deputy. Players who performed well in the recently-concluded Duleep Trophy matches, including Sai Sudharsan and Manav Suthar, have been named in the Rest of India squad. Senior batter Mayank Agarwal, who captained India A to Duleep Trophy victory, was not picked in the squad.

Meanwhile, Ishan Kishan has also been picked as the wicketkeeper in the Rest of India squad. The Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batter, who featured in the Duleep Trophy, is slowly, but surely, making his way back to the senior national team selection chatter after having lost his BCCI annual central contract earlier this year.

IRANI CUP: REST OF INDIA SQUAD

Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vice-captain), Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK)*, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal*, Ricky Bhui, Shashwat Rawat, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar.

"Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal have been selected in the Rest of India squad and their participation is subject to them not being involved in the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur. The 2nd Test will begin from 27th September," the BCCI said.

"Sarfaraz Khan who has been retained in the Team India squad for the 2nd Test, will be released to represent the Mumbai team subject to him not being involved in the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur."

Arshdeep Singh, who picked up nine wickets in the last round of Duleep Trophy for India D, was not picked as he is likely to be part of the T20I squad, which will take on Bangladesh in the first two weeks of October in a three-match series.