Kevin Pietersen (left), Adil Rashid and Rangana Herath (right). Picture Credit: AFP
From former England captain Kevin Pietersen to legendary Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, many overseas stars have played in Duleep Trophy matches. Here’s a look at the best XI of non-Indian players.
Many Indian Test cricketers and hopefuls are participating in the 2024 edition of the Duleep Trophy, which kicked off in Bengaluru and Anantapur on Thursday (September 5). The premier domestic tournament has always seen the participation of top Indian players if they are not on national duty, but in the past, many overseas players have also featured in the Duleep Trophy.
Teams from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe have played in one edition each of the Duleep Trophy, whereas England has participated twice.
Here’s a look at the best XI of overseas players to participate in the Duleep Trophy:
Hamilton Masakadza: Hamilton Masakadza, who played in 38 Tests, 209 ODIs, and 66 T20Is for Zimbabwe during his 18-year-long international career, scored 183 runs in two matches of the 2005 Duleep Trophy for the Zimbabwe Cricket Union President’s XI.
Brendan Taylor: Former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batter and captain Brendan Taylor scored 18 runs for Zimbabwe Cricket Union President’s XI in two matches of the 2005 edition of the Duleep Trophy.
Jonathan Trott: Trott scored 92 runs for the England Lions in two matches of the 2008 Duleep Trophy. The right-handed batter, who is now serving as head coach of the Afghanistan men’s cricket team, has played 52 Tests, 68 ODIs, and 7 T20Is for England.
Kevin Pietersen: Legendary English batter Kevin Pietersen played in two matches of the 2004 edition of the Duleep Trophy for England A and, with the help of two centuries, scored 345 runs. He hammered 104 and 115 in the first match against South Zone in Gurgaon and smacked 32 and 94 runs in the second match against East Zone in Amritsar.
Thilan Samaraweera: Thilan Samaraweera was the captain of the Sri Lanka A team in the 2006 edition of the Duleep Trophy and the veteran of 81 Tests and 53 ODIs, amassed a total of 161 runs in three matches. He scored 0 and 31 runs in the final, which his side lost by 8 wickets against North Zone in Kolkata.
Mohammad Ashraful: Former Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful played in two matches of the 2005 edition of the Duleep Trophy for Bangladesh Cricket Board XI and amassed a total of 92 runs.
Matt Prior: Former wicketkeeper-batter Matt Prior, who featured in 79 Tests, 68 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for England, scored 194 runs for England A in the 2004 Duleep Trophy. He scored one half-century each against the South Zone and East Zone.
Rangana Herath: Former Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, who finished his career with 433 wickets in 93 Tests, scored 73 runs and picked up five wickets for Sri Lanka A in the 2006 edition of the Duleep Trophy.
Monty Panesar: Panesar, who played 50 Tests, 26 ODIs, and 1 T20I for England, made two appearances for the England Lions in the 2008 edition of the Duleep Trophy and dismissed five batters.
Adil Rashid: Star English spinner Adil Rashid played two matches for the England Lions in the 2008 edition of the Duleep Trophy and scored 112 runs in four innings in addition to dismissing six batters.
Liam Plunkett: Liam Plunkett was part of the Eoin Morgan-led English team that won the 2019 edition of the ODI World Cup. The former right-arm pacer played one match of the 2008 Duleep Trophy for the England Lions and picked up one wicket apart from scoring 24 runs in two innings.
