Deodhar Trophy 2023: Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan to feature in West Zone squad

West Zone has made a captivating addition to their team for the highly anticipated 2023 Deodhar Trophy season, as they have secured the services of Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz Khan. These two exceptional batters who hail from Mumbai, displayed remarkable performances during the previous Ranji season, firmly establishing their positions among the top run-scorers for the illustrious 41-time champions.

Sarfaraz Khan has been knocking on the doors of the Indian national team for a long time, thanks to his consistent displays in first-class cricket. However, his omission from the Indian Test squad for the West Indies tour raised eyebrows and sparked discussions.

Meanwhile, Prithvi Shaw, who faced challenges during the IPL 2023 campaign, recently encountered criticism for his aggressive playing style. Nevertheless, the young opener remains resolute in his approach. Shaw confidently stated, "I firmly believe that I do not need to completely alter my game. Rather, I need to display greater astuteness in executing my shots. I cannot emulate Pujara's batting style, just as he cannot replicate mine. Therefore, I shall persist in focusing on the aspects that have brought me success thus far, such as my aggressive batting style," Shaw was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

Renowned cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar shared his profound thoughts, highlighting the pivotal role of fitness in the game. Sunil Gavaskar told India Today, “At the end of the day if you are unfit, you are not going to score hundreds. So cricket fitness is most important. I don’t have a problem with you wanting to do the Yo-Yo test or whatever it is, but the Yo-Yo test cannot be the only criterion. You got to make sure that the man is fit for cricket as well. And if the person, whoever it is, is fit for cricket, then I don’t think it should really matter.”

Priyank Panchal to lead West Zone, Deodhar Trophy makes a comeback after a four-year hiatus

Joining Shaw and Khan in the West Zone squad are a group of talented individuals, including  Priyank Panchal, who will lead the team.  Apart from him, players like Rahul Tripathi, Ankit Bawane, and Shivam Dube also make the cut. Notably, Dube left an indelible mark with his memorable performances for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the previous edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing a significant role in their victorious campaign. The inclusion of these players adds depth and experience to the 12-time Deodhar Trophy champions.

The bowling department will showcase the promising talents of young pacers Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Chetan Sakariya, and Tushar Deshpande, with the latter two serving as reserves. Deshpande, in particular, exhibited his remarkable skills during the previous IPL, leading the bowling attack for CSK admirably and emerging as their highest wicket-taker.

After a lengthy four-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Deodhar Trophy is set to make its highly anticipated return in 2023. This tournament holds immense promise as a platform for these talented players to display their skills and stake their claims for higher honours in Indian cricket.