Injuries Hit Duleep Trophy: Kishan Out, Akash Deep Resting

Injuries Hit Duleep Trophy: Kishan Out, Akash Deep Resting

India pacer Akash Deep and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, the East Zone captain, will miss the Duleep Trophy quarter-final match against North Zone as both players are recovering from their injuries.

Ishan Kishan won’t play in East Zone’s first Duleep Trophy match as he’s still recovering from a minor injury. He got hurt in the UK while riding an e-bike during his time with Nottinghamshire and needed stitches. Odisha’s Aashirwad Swain will take his place in the squad.

Kishan wasn’t picked as a backup for Rishabh Pant in the final Test against England because of this injury. Instead, N Jagadeesan was flown in to support Dhruv Jurel.

The injury isn’t serious, but Kishan is being rested as a precaution. He might be part of the India A team for the upcoming matches against Australia. For now, he’ll continue rehab and fitness tests at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Jharkhand’s Kumar Kushagra is expected to be the main wicketkeeper in his absence.

Akash Deep Also Rested

Fast bowler Akash Deep will also miss the opener. He’s been advised to rest, though the exact reason isn’t clear yet. His fitness will be checked later.

Akash was part of India’s Test tour in England, where he missed one match due to a back issue but returned for the final Test and scored a surprise half-century. He took 13 wickets in three Tests, including a brilliant 10-wicket haul in Birmingham. Assam’s Mukhtar Hussain replaces him in the squad.

East Zone’s Campaign Begins

East Zone, led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, will face Shubman Gill’s North Zone in the quarterfinal starting August 28. All matches will be held at the Centre of Excellence near Bengaluru.

Riyan Parag has been named vice-captain. The squad also includes India stars Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar.