Ruturaj Gaikwad has been appointed captain of the Rest of India (ROI) team for the upcoming Irani Trophy, where they will face the 2023/24 Ranji Trophy champions, Mumbai. The match is scheduled to take place from October 1 to October 5.
In addition to Gaikwad's leadership, Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal, both currently with the Indian team preparing for the second Test against Bangladesh, have also been named in the ROI squad. Their participation in the Irani Trophy will depend on their non-selection in the playing XI for the second Test. According to a BCCI statement, "Dhruv Jurel and Yash Dayal have been selected in the Rest of India squad, subject to them not being involved in the second Test match against Bangladesh in Kanpur."
On the Mumbai side, all-rounder Shardul Thakur, along with Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane, are set to feature for the Ranji champions. Sarfaraz Khan, who is part of the Indian squad for the Test series against Bangladesh, will also be released to play for Mumbai if he does not feature in the second Test. The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is expected to announce its full squad soon.
Thakur, who is returning to domestic cricket after undergoing foot surgery in June, will be playing his first competitive game since India's tour of South Africa earlier this year, where his injury resurfaced.
Rest of India Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Abhimanyu Easwaran (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (WK)*, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal*, Ricky Bhui, Shashwat Rawat, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar.