Musheer Khan, the 19-year-old brother of Indian Test cricketer Sarfaraz Khan, who has represented Jammu and Kashmir in the domestic setup, is all set to be fast-tracked into India A squad for their tour of Australia later this year after his stunning show in the Duleep Trophy 2024 opener.
Musheer Khan Makes Stunning Duleep Trophy Debut
Musheer had come into the selectors’ radar when he batted with calm and skill in the India A vs India B game in Bengaluru and here he made a scintillating 181 on his Duleep Trophy debut. Coming in to bat at No.3, Musheer wasn’t perturbed with wickets falling around him as he reached his third first-class century. His innings was of quintessential importance in rescuing India B from a dicey 94/7 to help them eventually post runs of 321 and win by 76 runs.
PTI reports that 19-year-old Musheer Khan, who has been having a brilliant first-class season, is all set to be named in the India A squad for the Australia tour featuring 3 ‘four-day Tests’. His two century knocks this season, one of which was a double ton in the Ranji quarter-final, and another in the final, caught the eyes of the selectors. The touring party will be finalized after the Duleep Trophy matches and the Irani Cup tie between Rest of India and Ranji champions Mumbai.
Manav Suthar- Another Top Contender As Left-Arm Spinner
The other strong contender, apart from Musheer, is Rajasthan’s left-arm spinner Manav Suthar.
Suthar has emerged as the leading contender for the role of the next best left-arm spinner after Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, pipping Saurabh Kumar. Musheer strengthens his case for selection in the tour to Australia by further stating that he can score runs in big games and his long innings of 373 balls against high-quality pace attacks.
An All-Round Player
Musheer has already made three centuries and a half-century in a first-class career that only comprises seven matches, two of those hundreds coming under considerable pressure that underlines his ability to deliver on big occasions. A little vulnerable to the moving ball, he is still only 19 and will doubtless keep getting better.
“What makes Musheer different is his mindset, which is very strong. I can’t predict the future but if he keeps on scoring runs consistently, he could be a very good option for the Indian team,” former India wicketkeeper-batter Vijay Dahiya told PTI videos.
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“The standout thing about his batting is his consistency. He started off from where he left the last season. He scored runs in the Ranji Trophy semifinal and final and then a hundred on the opening day of domestic cricket in 2024.” Dahiya further added
Further, the utility value of Musheer as a helpful left-arm spinner only makes him more attractive given the fact that India’s opening batsmen hardly bowl these days. This double-barrelled skills factor can certainly be counted upon for a huge plus in his favour.
