Why Are Ishan Kishan and Akash Deep Missing the Duleep Trophy Quarterfinals?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ishan Kishan and Akash Deep ruled out due to injuries.
- New captain Abhimanyu Easwaran leads East Zone.
- Replacement players included Aashirwad Swain and Mukhtar Hussain.
- Quarterfinals against North Zone starting August 28.
- Team dynamics shift with the absence of key players.
New Delhi, Aug 18 (NationPress) Indian fast bowler Akash Deep and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan will not participate in the East Zone’s Duleep Trophy quarterfinal match against North Zone due to ongoing recovery from their injuries.
Kishan was initially considered as a replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant ahead of the final Test against England at The Oval but was ruled out after suffering a left ankle injury that required stitches following a bike accident. Consequently, Tamil Nadu's N Jagadeesan has been brought in as Pant’s substitute.
Despite being at BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, Kishan has been advised to take more rest, especially since India ‘A’ is set to host Australia ‘A’ for two four-day matches and three ODIs next month.
In Kishan’s absence, Abhimanyu Easwaran from Bengal, who did not play during India’s five-match Test series in England, will lead East Zone, with all-rounder Riyan Parag serving as vice-captain.
Odisha’s Aashirwad Swain steps in as Kishan’s replacement, while Jharkhand’s Kumar Kushagra becomes the primary wicketkeeper-batter. East Zone will also miss Akash Deep, who has been advised to rest.
The specifics of Akash’s injury are unclear, but sources indicate he is facing a back issue and has been prescribed rest. He previously missed the fourth Test in Manchester due to a groin niggle.
Overall, he achieved 13 wickets in three matches during the England tour, including a remarkable 10-wicket haul in Birmingham. Mukhtar Hussain from Assam has been added to the East Zone squad as Akash’s replacement.
The East Zone will commence their journey against the Shubman Gill-led North Zone in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal, starting August 28 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) grounds in Bengaluru.
East Zone squad for Duleep Trophy quarterfinal:
Abhimanyu Easwaran (captain), Aashirwad Swain (wk), Sandeep Patnaik, Virat Singh, Denish Das, Sridam Paul, Sharandeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Riyan Parag (vc), Utkarsh Singh, Manishi, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Mukhtar Hussain, Mohammed Shami.