The ODI World Cup is where all the eyes are on this year, but India’s also playing a fair few T20Is in 2023, matches that could determine what their squad looks like at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The 2023 Deodhar Trophy, a List A competition that ended this week, gave a chance to several fringe players to test out their skills. Among those were players heading to Ireland for three T20Is that follow the West Indies tour, as well as the Asian Games, to be held in late September.

Here’s how India players selected for both those competitions fared in the Deodhar Trophy:

Shivam Dube (West Zone)

119 runs @ 39.66, 1 fifty, HS: 83*; 3 wickets @ 47.00, BBI: 2-36

One of Chennai Super Kings’ middle-order stars in their IPL 2023 triumph, Dube could play his first T20I in over three years, in Ireland. He hit one fifty in five innings, smashing five sixes in an 78-ball 83* in one of the games. He also chipped in with three wickets.

Shivam Mavi (Central Zone)

3 wickets @ 56.33, BBI: 1-19; 97 runs @ 48.50, HS: 47*

Known more for his searing pace, Mavi – who made his T20I debut this year – has also developed into an able lower-order batter. In the Deodhar Trophy, he smashed at 136.61, including a rapid 47* off 39. He wasn’t as impactful with the ball, averaging over 56 with an economy rate nearly touching six.

Rinku Singh (Central Zone)

95 runs @ 23.75, HS: 54

After a breakout IPL, Rinku finally earned his maiden India call-up, where he is likely to play an enterprising finisher’s role. The Deodhar Trophy went by quietly: playing at No.5 or No.6, he hit one fifty in four innings, striking at 76.

Shahbaz Ahmed (East Zone)

12 wickets @ 19.50, BBI: 3-30; 44 runs @ 14.66, HS: 17

East Zone’s leading wicket-taker, Shahbaz Ahmed averaged under 20, with an economy of just over four, further strengthening his case as one of the top white-ball left-arm spin all-rounders going around, especially as a backup to Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.

Washington Sundar (South Zone)

8 wickets @ 26.12, BBI: 3-60; 63 runs @ 21.00, HS: 43*

Part of the title-winning South Zone, Sundar played a key role in the final, plucking a three-wicket haul to lead his side to a win over East Zone. With the bat, he did not have as much of a role to play as a floater, although he did score an unbeaten 43 in one of the chases. With no R Ashwin in India’s plans, Sundar would be eyeing similar returns ahead of the World Cup.

Rahul Tripathi (West Zone)

33 runs @ 8.25, HS: 15

Part of the Asian Games squad, Tripathi, West Zone’s No.3, had a forgettable Deodhar Trophy, averaging in the single digits and not scoring over 15. He’s still likely to be the designated top-order floater, having impressed time and again in the IPL.

Prabhsimran Singh (North Zone)

200 runs @ 50.00, 1 100, HS: 121

One of the two wicketkeepers in the Asian Games squad, Prabhsimran had a breakthrough IPL this year (he scored his maiden century) while stacking up strong domestic credentials. Strong on the off side, he finished as North Zone’s top run-getter, averaging 50 while striking at 107.52, smashing a 121 off just 107 against Central Zone.

Asian Games – Backup players

Yash Thakur, the young quick who played for Lucknow Super Giants, managed four wickets in as many games. Sharing the new ball with Mavi for Central Zone, he averaged over 34, with an economy of over five.

R Sai Kishore has been one of Tamil Nadu’s leading spinners, and continued the good showing for South Zone, finishing among the top five wicket-takers in the Deodhar Trophy (11 wickets at 15.27).

Venkatesh Iyer had a forgettable Deodhar Trophy, averaging 16 in four innings without a fifty. He also chipped in with three wickets.

IPL 2023 finalist Sai Sudarshan continues to have a dream run with the bat. He smashed 204 runs at 102.00, strike rate of 91.47, and a top score of 132* – the highest in the tournament.

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