Deodhar Trophy 2023: Saurabh Tiwary to lead East Zone, Abhimanyu Easwaran named deputy

Veteran batter Saurabh Tiwary has been named the captain of East Zone in the upcoming edition of the Deodhar Trophy, which is slated to make its return after four long years on July 24 in Puducherry.

Bengal’s Abhimanyu Easwaran will be Tiwari’s deputy in the competition as the team also features the likes of Riyan Parag, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Akash Deep among others. The team is slated to hit the field on the first day itself as they will challenge Central Zone in the middle.

Meanwhile, after a dismal performance in the Duleep Trophy, East Zone will be aiming to do well in the 50-overs format. Someone like Riyan Parag will get a chance to redeem himself as he faced massive criticism for his poor performances in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. For Shahbaz, it will be another opportunity to do well and move an inch closer to making a comeback into the Indian team.

For veterans like Saurabh Tiwary and Abhimanyu Easwaran, time is running out for them and thus, they will be desperate to make a mark in the tournament.

On the other hand, despite doing reasonably well for Gujarat Titans in the 16th edition of the IPL, Wriddhiman Saha was once again not considered for selection. The stumper-batter was not a part of the side during the Duleep Trophy either and has faced the same fate in the Deodhar Trophy.

However, just like Parag and Shahbaz, Akash Deep too will be eager to do well. The player has been sensational for Bengal in the last couple of years and will be hoping to keep up with the form in the Deodhar Trophy.

Notably, in List A cricket, the all-rounder has played 16 matches and has 25 wickets to his name. On the other hand, other cricketers will be motivated to start the white-ball season well in order to earn an IPL contract later on.

East Zone Team:

Saurabh Tiwary (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), Sudip Gharami, Subhranshu Senapati, Reshab Das, Utkarsh Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Abishek Porel, Virat Singh, Riyan Parag, Shahbaz Ahmed, Avinav Chowdhury, Manishankar Mura Singh, Muktar Hussain, Akash Deep.