Duleep Trophy 2018: 5 players who can earn a call-up to Indian Test side

Duleep Trophy 2018 is upon us. For more reasons than one, this is a particularly important series for all the players. While players from India Red, Green and Blue will be looking to get off to the perfect start to this season with a strong performance in the Duleep Trophy which will take place in Dindigul, there are other reasons to do well as well.

India's performance in England in the ongoing Test series has been lackluster, to say the least, and it certainly wouldn't be a surprise if a few of the players who are in the squad are dropped for India's next Test assignment.

With that in mind and the possibility of earning a call-up to the Indian Test side up for grabs, there will be quite a few players, who will be looking to have a strong Duleep Trophy. Good performance in the first-class tournament that will be played with a pink ball under lights will also leave them in good stead for a future Pink ball Test that India might play.

All the players on this list are ones that address a pressing need for India, especially in the longest format of the game. With that in mind, let us take a look at 5 players who can earn Test call-up with strong performances in Duleep Trophy 2018:

Rajneesh Gurbani

One of the incredible stories of the Ranji Trophy last season was how Vidarbha came out and won the tournament. One of the main reasons for their triumph was the form of their pacer Rajneesh Gurbani, who was simply sensational for his side, especially during the knockouts as he got his side over the line.

After all, a hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy final against Delhi last season and a 12-wicket haul in the semi-final against Karnataka isn't too shabby for someone who was playing in only his second season. He ended the season with 64 wickets at an average of just 20 and reminded many of a young Bhuvneshwar Kumar with his ability to swing the ball but also bowl at a skiddy pace.

Able to find movement off the pitch, Gurbani got a taste of India A cricket under Rahul Dravid during the Test against South Africa A and he will be keen to make the step up the senior side with a strong Duleep Trophy.

Baba Indrajith

Indrajith has been an incredibly consistent performer who might finally get his reward

If there is one area where India are currently struggling, it is to find a reliable middle-order batsman. One player who could throw his name into the reckoning is Tamil Nadu batsman Baba Indrajith. The 24-year-old averages nearly 50 in first-class cricket and has shown a penchant for digging his side out of a tricky situation and could well be the ideal choice in the middle-order if India want to go away from the tried and tested route.

He also knows that strong performances in the Duleep Trophy can certainly improve his chances of securing a spot in the national side. "It is important to contribute in these matches because if you score well in these matches, you get noticed," Indrajith told Sportskeeda.

With a double century for India Red in last year's Duleep Trophy at Kanpur, Indrajith knows that another good Duleep Trophy could well be what needs to earn his maiden call-up to the Indian Test side.

Priyank Panchal

Panchal has consistently been among the runs and could fill an urgent need in the Indian Test side

If India aren't especially happy with the trio of openers that they have currently, they could do well to take a look at Priyank Panchal, who has been a consistent run-getter in the domestic circuit in the last two years. The 28-year-old opener from Gujarat has shown that he has a penchant for big scores and his record in the Ranji Trophy speaks for itself.

When he turns out for India Green in the Duleep Trophy, under the stewardship of Parthiv Patel, Panchal will be looking to prove his point and put his name in contention for a spot in the Indian Test side. How he fares against the pink ball under lights could also influence his selection if the BCCI does decide to green light their maiden Pink ball Test in the not so distant future.

Parthiv Patel

From being a backup keeper to the fourth-choice currently, it has been a rough ride for Parthiv this year

21 runs in two Tests, including two ducks, is not the kind of form that you would want to exhibit when you are making a comeback after eight years. But that is what Dinesh Karthik's form reads after the first two Tests against England prompting calls for a debut to Rishabh Pant.

Irrespective of how Pant performs, it is safe to say that there is a spot open for Parthiv Patel with Wriddhiman Saha currently injured. The 33-year-old knows that some strong performances in the Duleep Trophy could elevate him back in contention for a spot in the Indian Test side.

Especially considering that his own comeback after eight years, which came during the home series against England went much better Karthik's as he scored two fifties and a 42 in his four innings. Having also played against South Africa earlier this year, Parthiv will certainly count himself unlucky to not get another chance. But a strong Duleep Trophy might just give him that ahead of the tour to Australia and New Zealand.

Abhinav Mukund

The poor form of the current openers has thrown the door open for Mukund to make a comeback

The form of the trio of Indian openers has been concerning in England. Murali Vijay, who was previously the rock has cracked, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan have been flashy but not particularly effective. All of that means that India is on the lookout for another opener that they could try out.

A 28-year-old with nearly 9,000 first-class runs at an average of almost 50, Abhinav Mukund could well be the ideal candidate for India as they seek to address their opening problem. While his brief international career hasn't gone according to plan, his record in the domestic circuit speaks for itself.

A strong performance in this year's Duleep Trophy, where he will captain India Red could catapult him back into contention. And depending on how the rest of the England series pans out, it could well be for his fellow Tamil Nadu opening batsman Murali Vijay.