The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has unveiled its squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier domestic one-day competition. In a significant move, left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has been appointed as the team's captain for the tournament.
Leadership and Squad Announcement
The decision was made by the RCA senior selection committee during a meeting held at the RCA Academy in Jaipur on Saturday. Experienced pace bowler Aniket Chaudhary has been named the vice-captain, providing seasoned support to the young skipper. This 15-member squad blends youth with experience, aiming for a strong campaign.
Manav Suthar is no stranger to leadership roles within the state setup. He recently led the Rajasthan team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where the side performed creditably by reaching the Super League stage. This previous experience at the helm likely played a part in the selectors' decision to entrust him with the captaincy for the 50-over format.
Tournament Schedule and Key Players
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to commence on December 24. Rajasthan will begin their campaign against Madhya Pradesh in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The team will be looking to its core of talented players to make a deep run in the tournament.
The squad includes several notable names who bring a mix of all-round ability and specialist skills:
- Manav Suthar (Captain)
- Aniket Choudhary (Vice-Captain)
- Mahipal Lomror
- Deepak Hooda
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Rahul Chahar
- Samarpit Joshi
- Aditya Singh Rathore
Other members of the squad are Manendra Singh, Ram Mohan Chauhan, Sumit Godara, Karan Lamba, Mukul Chaudhary, Ajay Singh Kukna, Ashok Sharma, and Akash Singh. This group presents a balanced look, with spin expected to be a major strength given the captain's own expertise and the presence of Rahul Chahar.
Rajasthan's Road Ahead
The appointment of Suthar signals a forward-looking approach by the RCA, placing faith in a younger leader while banking on Aniket Chaudhary's experience to guide the bowling unit. The team's first match against Madhya Pradesh will be a crucial test to set the tone for their tournament.
Fans of Rajasthan cricket will be eager to see if this new leadership combination can inspire the team to surpass their performances from the recent T20 competition and mount a serious challenge for the Vijay Hazare Trophy title. All eyes will now be on Ahmedabad as the domestic cricket season's 50-over flagship event gets underway.
