Tushar Deshpande replaces Chetan Sakariya in West Zone squad for remainder of Duleep Trophy 2023

Tushar Deshpande ended up with 21 wickets to his name for champions Chennai Super Kings in this year's IPL.

Mumbai’s pacer Tushar Deshpande has replaced Saurashtra’s Chetan Sakariya in the West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy game against Central Zone at KSCA Stadium in Alur. Chetan Sakariya has been ruled out of the West Zone squad due to an injury. Tushar Deshpande emerged as one of the brightest stars in Indian Cricket after his magnificent performance in the IPL 2023 for Chennai Super Kings. Deshpande was among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament and picked up 21 wickets. Being Defending champions, West Zone were scheduled to start their Duleep Trophy campaign in the semifinal. Central Zone advanced to the semifinal after their close victory against East Zone. 

Tushar Deshpande has played 29 first-class games for Mumbai. Tushar has been a crucial pacer in Mumbai’s pace attack. He is known as a partnership breaker and has picked up 80 wickets in 29 red-ball games. Deshpande after a magnificent Indian Premier League with Chennai Super Kings. He also credited MS Dhoni for his success in the big tournament and said, “He said to me, don’t get bogged down and just follow the process. Once during the presentation, he said that the new impact rule, 200 score is the new normal. His mind is clear when he speaks. He gives the surety which is what a young player wants”. Tushar had a few poor games at the start of the IPL 2023. 

West Zone squad will be led by Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal and discarded Indian middle order batter Cheteshwar Pujara will also be taking part in Duleep Trophy. Pujara was dropped from the India squad for the West Indies tour.

Sarfaraz Khan will also be taking part in West Zone. Sarfaraz’s non-inclusion became the biggest talking point in Indian cricket after the BCCI announced a 16-member India squad for the upcoming West Indies tour. Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav are also part of the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy.