The team management has decided to send them back so that they can get some playing time in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
As many as three fast bowlers have been released from the traveling reserves ahead of the 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. They were part of the India A tour of Australia A and have been with the main team in the nets, although none of them were included in the main team.
According to TOI, Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini and Yash Dayal will no longer remain with the Indian team after the management decided to send them back to allow them to get some playing time in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Dayal was initially not part of the travel bookings, but Khaleel Ahmed was unfit in Perth, prompting management to fly him to Australia.
However, he did not play any match in the A tour and has already flown back to India as he prepares to feature for Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Meanwhile, Mukesh Kumar played both A matches and traveled everywhere with the Indian team, but is now partnered with Mohammed Shami in Bengal.
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Navdeep Saini played one match against Australia A and was with India in Brisbane, but he will return home with Mukesh and play for Delhi. It is a wise decision as they were in the traveling reserves, and India already have several top bowlers and pitching specialists for the tour.
Devdutt Padikkal was earlier released from the Test squad
Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal, who stayed in Australia after the A tour, was released from the Test squad to participate in the 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. It was a cover for Shubman Gill, who injured his thumb before the first Test and batted at No. 3 in the Perth Test.
However, he could not make a significant impact as he scored a duck in the first innings and 25 runs in the second innings. Since Gill recovered before the second Test, India do not need his services now.
Padikkal was impressive in the A tour in Australia, tempting the team to pick him as Gill’s backup. He will play for Karnataka in the national competition.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy will begin on Saturday (December 21) and will run till January 18. Several top-choice Indian players will participate in the competition.
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