Duleep Trophy 2024: Sanju Samson Set To Replace Ishan Kishan In Opening Match, Says Report
Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson, who was initially not named to take part in the Duleep Trophy 2024 tournament which gets underway in Anantapur on Thursday (September 5), may finally make an appearance in it. Samson is all set to replace Jharkhand and Mumbai Indians (MI) wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, who may not turn up for the opening match for Team ‘D’ led by Shreyas Iyer.
Team ‘D’ will be taking on Team ‘C’ which is led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. The exact reason for Ishan Kishan’s withdrawal wasn’t clear, but Cricbuzz website reported that it could be because of injury.
“Sanju Samson, who was not named in any of the four teams announced by the selectors earlier, is likely to be included in Kishan’s place,” the Cricbuzz report read.
The report also added that Kishan’s availability for the remaining matches of the Duleep Trophy 2024 are also unclear at the moment. The tournament is considered to be a selection criterion for the the upcoming two-match India vs Bangladesh 2024 Test series which starts in Chennai on September 19.
Massive blow to Ishan Kishan.
Kishan is doubtful for the starter of the Duleep Trophy match which is starting from September 5.
His withdrawal is unclear and haa learnt that he might might be carrying an Injury.
Sanju Samson is named as his replacementpic.twitter.com/mP5EH9GnxJ
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) September 4, 2024
Kishan had turned out for Jharkhand in the Buchi Babu 2024 tournament in Chennai and scored an impressive century but only played in a coupled of games. He played two matches in the TNCA-organised tournament – against Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad. Jharkhand won the first and lost the second game before being knocked out. In the first game vs MP, Kishan scored a century (114) in the first innings and remained unbeaten on 41 in the second.
Kishan, who played as first-choice wicket-keeper in India’s tour of West Indies last year was sidelined by the national selection committee as a disciplinary measure after he chose to miss Ranji Trophy matches in spite of strict instructions from the BCCI.
The Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper is the second high-profile Indian cricketer to pull out of the opening round after Suryakumar Yadav. The India T20I captain has injured his hand while turning out for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament and is undergoing treatment at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. Apart from them Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj have also decided to skip Duleep Trophy 2024 tournament.
Meanwhile, Samson’s RR teammate Prasidh Krishna’s return from quad injury has also been delayed with Team ‘A’ skipper Shubman Gill has confirming that the pacer will be missing the opening fixture against Team ‘B’, scheduled in Bengaluru from September 5. The 28-year-old had missed the IPL 2024 due to surgery in February.
