Is this the end of the road for Rahane and Pujara in red-ball cricket after Duleep Trophy snub?

In what could signal the end of an era, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, two of India’s most dependable Test batters over the past decade, have been left out of the West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy. The decision, announced on August 1, sees Shardul Thakur named as captain of the 15-man squad.

Once the Backbone of India's Test Team

Pujara and Rahane were pivotal to India’s red-ball success in the 2010s. Pujara, known for his steely temperament and marathon knocks, was often the glue that held the Indian innings together with memorable performances in Australia and England. 

Rahane, India’s vice-captain for a significant period, played several clutch innings overseas, including a match-winning century at the MCG during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

Despite their contributions, both players have struggled to find a place in the Indian Test setup recently. Their exclusion from the Duleep Trophy squad could mark the final step away from the national reckoning.

Life After Cricket: Commentary & Content Creation

While Pujara has turned to commentary during the ongoing India vs England Test series, Rahane is focusing on growing his presence on YouTube. Both veterans featured in the last Ranji Trophy season but failed to secure a place in this zonal competition.

Duleep Trophy Returns to Zonal Format

The tournament has returned to its classic zonal format after the four-team structure used last year was scrapped by the BCCI. Six teams — North, South, East, West, Central, and North East Zones will now participate, offering broader opportunities for regional players.

West Zone Squad Highlights

Key names in the squad include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Sarfaraz Khan, with all-rounders like Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian bolstering the lineup under Thakur’s leadership.