Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande, 28, claimed 67 wickets across all formats last season (2022-23), including 21 scalps to finish as the highest wicket-taker for IPL-16 champions Chennai Super Kings. He is also the only speedster in the West Zone squad to bowl at a consistent 140kmph-plus. Yet, somehow he’s warming the bench in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone which began in  Bangalore on Wednesday. Furthermore, the West Zone selectors have even overlooked him while picking the squad for the upcoming Deodhar Trophy that begins in Puducherry from July 24.

Milind Rege