Ahead of the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2023 knockout stage, Tushar Deshpande has been named as a replacement for Chetan Sakariya in the West Zone team squad. West Zone will take Central Zone on July 5 at Alur Cricket Stadium in Bangalore.
Mumbai’s Deshpande played six matches in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season and picked 23 wickets at an average of 25.69. Saurashtra’s Sakariya featured in nine matches and picked 27 wickets at an average of 25.37.
However, following the injury to Chetan Sakariya, Deshpande will now turn out for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy tournament.
He also had an excellent outing in the IPL 2023 tournament for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who won the title and Deshpande was their lead bowler with the new ball. He was Chennai Super Kings’ highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets. The right-arm seamer was also the first Impact Sub being used in the IPL.
His Mind Is Clear When He Speaks: Tushar Deshpande Credits CSK Captain MS Dhoni For His Success
Deshpande, who has consistently performed well for Mumbai in domestic cricket, struggled with his rhythm against Gujarat Titans in his debut IPL game and bowled no-balls and wides, giving up 29 runs in his first two overs.
Following CSK’s record-extending fifth title win, Deshpande had credited Dhoni for his success and explained how he instilled confidence in him.
“You know you have someone who will guide and show the light when things are not going in our favour. He is a selfless guy and keeps things simple. He doesn’t complicate things and will be with you in your bad times. Like a soldier, I will just follow whatever he says. I know he can never take me on a wrong path,” Deshpande told The Indian Express.
“Dhoni plans are very clear that this is what you need to do and then one has to execute. He will give freedom as well and when needed he will put a word. He told me that I have everything to play at the top, just be calm, take a deep breath.
Once I didn’t bowl well, he (MS Dhoni) came and said that with the new impact rule, 200 plus score is the new normal and he told me don’t worry about my place. He gave the surety which is what (young) players want,” Deshpande added.
West Zone squad for Duleep Trophy 2023: Priyank Panchal (Captain), Cheteshwar Pujara, Suryakumar Yadav, Harvik Desai (wicketkeeper), Prithvi Shaw, Het Patel (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Khan, Arpit Vasavada, Atit Seth, Shams Mulani, Yuvraj Dodiya, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Chintan Gaja, Arzan Nagwaswalla.