The 2023 edition of Ranji Trophy is in the history books. Saurashtra captured their second championship with a nine-wicket victory against Bengal in the final at the Eden Gardens. Jaydev Unadkat led his team from the front to help them become the champions.
Arpit Vasavada won the Player of the Series award for scoring more than 900 runs. He was instrumental in Saurashtra’s success as he scored a double century in the semifinal against Karnataka and also captained the team when Jaydev Unadkat was unavailable.
Apart from Vasavada and Unadkat, some dropped Indian cricketers also had an excellent outing in the tournament. The following five of them may return to the Indian Test squad after performing well in Ranji Trophy 2023.
1. Mayank Agarwal was top run-getter in Ranji Trophy 2023
Mayank Agarwal was the top run-scorer in the 2023 edition of India’s top domestic cricket tournament. Playing for Karnataka, Agarwal scored 990 runs in nine matches at an excellent average of 82.5.
2. Ajinkya Rahane
Experienced Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane played a big role in Mumbai’s success, scoring 634 runs in seven matches. Since India need a new vice-captain in Tests now, Rahane could make his return.
3. Priyank Panchal
Priyank Panchal was the back-up opener for India in multiple Tests, but he never got a chance to play. In the recently-concluded tournament, Panchal scored 583 runs in just five matches for Gujarat. His batting average was 97.17.
4. Shahbaz Nadeem performed well in Ranji Trophy 2023
Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem was among the top performers for Jharkhand in this year’s tournament. He bagged 42 wickets in eight matches, recording four five-wicket hauls for his team.
5. Prithvi Shaw
Mumbai batter Prithvi Shaw has lost his place in the Test squad, but he could make a return soon. In a match against Assam this year, Shaw scored 379 runs, whacking 49 fours and four sixes.
