Top 10 discarded Indian test cricketers who will play in Ranji Trophy 2023-24

Discarded Indian cricketers will look to perform well in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 to get back into Indian team.

India’s premier domestic tournament is back as the 89th season of Ranji Trophy will commence from 5th January, 2024. Saurashtra will be heading into the tournament as defending champions and they will look to continue their dominating run in Indian domestic cricket. Jaydev Unadkat is ready to lead his side in search of another glory.

Along with Jaydev Unadkat, there are a few discarded Indian cricketers who will take part in the tournament who will be trying their luck once again to get back into Indian side. A total of 138 matches will be played with 38 participants in the tournament. Let’s have a look at the discarded Indian players who will play in Ranji Trophy 2023-24 to aim for a spot back in Indian team.

1 – Ajinkya Rahane (Mumbai):

Ajinkya Rahane was discarded from Indian test squad after West Indies tour. He will be representing Mumbai in the upcoming Ranji Trophy tournament as captain of the side. Rahane was discarded from Indian camp after his persistent poor performances with the bat. He made a roaring comeback in WTC 2023 final, but failed to carry the momentum further.

2 – Hanuma Vihari (Andhra) :

Once seen as a formidable Indian middle-order batter in test cricket, Hanuma Vihari is yet to find a place in Indian team after a long injury break. Vihari will be leading Andhra Pradesh squad in the upcoming season of the Ranji Trophy. Vihari played his last test match against England in 2022 at Edgbaston. Hanuma Vihari has played 16 test matches for India.

3 – Navdeep Saini (Delhi) :

Navdeep Saini also has not represented Indian side in the last two years. Navdeep Saini will play for Delhi in the upcoming tournament. Navdeep Saini has so far played 2 tests, 8 ODIs, and 11 T20I games for India after making his debut in 2019. He has not played a single international game since 2021. Navdeep Saini is still a constant member of India A side.

4 – Ishant Sharma (Delhi) :

Ishant Sharma was dropped from India’s test squad following the home test series against New Zealand in November 2021 and has not played a test match for his national side since then. Ishant Sharma will be playing for Delhi in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. According to some rumours, Ishant Sharma is expected to announce his retirement from International cricket soon.

5 – Shahbaz Nadeem (Jharkhand) :

Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem is also forgotten just after two test matches. Nadeem made his test debut in 2019 and then added another test cap in 2021. He has not played a test match after playing against England in Chennai. Nadeem will be representing Jharkhand in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Shahbaz Nadeem will be playing a key role in Jharkhand’s campaign.

6 – Mayank Agarwal (Karnataka) :

Discarded Indian opening batter Mayank Agarwal will be leading his state side Karnataka in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Mayank Agarwal played his last test match against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022. Indian team management opted for youngsters over Mayank in 2023. Mayank has played 21 test matches for India and lost his place to Shubman Gill in the Indian test team.

7 – Cheteshwar Pujara (Saurashtra) :

India’s one of the finest test batters Cheteshwar Pujara has also conceded his place to Shubman Gill in India’s playing XI after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia earlier in 2023. Pujara will be playing for thedefending champions, Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Shubman Gill’s poor run at number 3 gives a glimmer of hope to Cheteshwar Pujara for a comeback into the national side given India will tour Australia for a five-match Test series at end of the year.

8 – Umesh Yadav (Vidarbha) :

With Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mukesh Kumar, it seems like the road has been closed for discarded Indian pacer Umesh Yadav. Right-arm pacer Umesh Yadav played his last test match for India in the WTC final 2023. Umesh will be playing for Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Umesh Yadav has been a prolific wicket-taker in Indian domestic tournaments.

9 – Jaydev Unadkat (Saurashtra) :

Left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat has become one of the most dominating figures in Ranji Trophy and earned the champions tag in India’s premier domestic tournament. Unadkat will be once again leading the Saurashtra squad in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Jaydev Unadkat was part of Indian squad for West Indies tour and played two test matches in 2023.

10 – Karun Nair (Vidarbha) :

Karun Nair has also been forgotten after a magnificent triple ton he scored against England in Chennai in 2016. Nair played his last test against Australia in 2017. Karun Nair has shifted his base to Vidarbha from Karnataka and will be playing for VCA in Ranji Trophy 2023-24. Karun Nair has failed to make a comeback into the Indian test side since 2017.

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