The Duleep Trophy quarterfinals started in Bengaluru on Thursday, but East Zone captain Abhimanyu Easwaran and Central Zone captain Dhruv Jurel missed it due to groin aches and fevers, respectively.
The East Zone is playing a formidable North Zone team at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, thus Easwaran’s absence was a major blow. Ishan Kishan, the wicketkeeper batsman, and bowler Akash Deep are already out for East.
Assam all-rounder Riyan Parag was elevated to East Zone captain as Easwaran was unable to play.
It is understood that Jurel, named as a standby for India’s upcoming Asia Cup squad, picked up a groin niggle on the eve of the match. Although he had reported for the game, medical advice forced him to sit out.
In their quarterfinal matchup with NorthEast Zone, Central Zone is led by Rajat Patidar, who earlier this year guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever IPL championship. Patidar was the team’s vice-captain.
Shubman Gill, the captain of North Zone, was initially selected to lead the team but was unable to recover from a fever in time.
With vice-captain Ankit Kumar stepping up to lead North Zone, Shubham Goel has been drafted in as Gill’s replacement.
