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The BCCI, on Thursday, August 15, picked four teams for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, slated to begin on 5 September. Most players who are a part of India's Test squad, have been selected to play in this tournament barring a few seniors.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin are among a few senior players who have been given this time off given their hectic schedules spanning all three formats of the game.
Almost every other contender in the country has been given a chance by the selectors in this tournament, while a few significant big names have also been left out in the cold.
In this listicle, we take a look at four players whose snubs in the Duleep Trophy signals the end of the road in Test cricket:
#1 Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara is the biggest name that is missing from the squads picked by the selectors for the Duleep Trophy. The former India number three has been out of favor in recent times and we might as well have seen the last of him.
The steely batter showcased his grit whenever he walked out to bat for India, and it is rather unfortunate that the selectors have decided to move on from him and give opportunities to other players.
Having played 103 Tests, in which he scored 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, Pujara would have been ideal for the upcoming home season. His record in India is impeccable and he will be dearly missed.
#2 Ajinkya Rahane
Just like Pujara, fellow veteran Ajinkya Rahane too has been overlooked by the selectors for the Duleep Trophy 2024. Having won the Ranji Trophy last season by leading Mumbai, Rahane seems to not be in the current India management's minds.
The middle-order batter, who has played in 85 Tests and scored 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, is playing for Leicestershire in English county cricket at the moment and is also a part of the Mumbai side for the ongoing Buchi Babu invitational tournament.
#3 Hanuma Vihari
Former Hyderabad and Andhra captain Hanuma Vihari, who will be remembered for his gritty knock in Sydney in India's tour of Australia in 2021, has almost disappeared from the scene.
Despite consistent performances in domestic cricket over the years - he averages an exceedingly brilliant 51.80 in first-class cricket with a best of 302* - Vihari has been overlooked ever since the MSK Prasad-led selection committee stepped down.
Vihari played in just 16 Tests for India, and anyone who has seen him bat knows that it is far too few for his potential. His ability and willingness to hang in there despite challenges coming his way is what earmarked him for success.
#4 Umesh Yadav
Pacer Umesh Yadav, who has been one of the most reliable assets for India on overseas tours in the past, has also been given the pink slip - in a manner of speaking - by the team management.
His omission from any of the teams in the upcoming Duleep Trophy as good as signals the end of the road in Test cricket; one feels that fans saw the last of him in the final of the World Test Championship against Australia at The Oval in 2023.
Yadav picked up 170 wickets in the 53 Tests that he played for India, and was one of the most effective seamers when playing abroad. He was rated highly by both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, under whose leadership he thrived.
