Rinku Singh Selected for Duleep Trophy as BCCI Makes Wholesale Changes to Squads

Kolkata Knight Riders’ batsman Rinku Singh is one of several players picked to replace outgoing stars selected for India vs Bangladesh Test Series.

BCCI gave the nod to the 26-year-old batsman for the second-round matches of the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Rinku comes into India B’s squad as replacement after Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant had to withdraw following their selection for India vs Bangladesh test series. The second round of Duleep Trophy matches is set to begin on 12th September. In a recent announcement, the BCCI confirmed that India A captain Shubman Gill, along with KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep, have been selected for India’s Test squad for the series against Bangladesh, meaning they won't be participating in the upcoming round of the Duleep Trophy. 

The selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, have named Railways’ batsman Pratham Singh as Shubman Gill’s replacement, while Akshay Wadkar (Vidarbha) and SK Rasheed (Andhra) replace KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel. Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani will step in for Kuldeep Yadav, while Aaqib Khan from UPCA will replace Akash Deep in the squad. Meanwhile, Mayank Agarwal has been appointed as the captain of India A. 

For India B, Suyash Prabhudessai and Rinku Singh have been named as replacements for Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant. Fast bowler Yash Dayal has received his maiden national call-up while Sarfaraz Khan, who too has been named in India's squad, will feature in the second-round game. Himanshu Mantri (Madhya Pradesh CA) has been added to the squad.  

India D also sees some changes to the squad, as Axar Patel’s call-up to the national team has opened up a spot for Haryana’s Nishant Sindhu. Tushar Deshpande will also miss the second-round after he picked up an injury. Karnataka’s 25-year-old fast bowler Vidwath Kaverappa will deputize in Deshpande’s absence. Meanwhile, India C remains unchanged.