Pujara, Suryakumar to represent West Zone in Duleep Trophy

After being dropped from the Indian team, Cheteshwar Pujara has returned to the domestic grind. He has been selected for the West Zone side in the upcoming Duleep Trophy and has agreed to play the tournament straightaway.

Pujara will be joined by another Indian cricketer, Suryakumar Yadav, in the West Zone team. The multi-day inter-zonal competition is scheduled to begin in Bengaluru on June 28.

Pujara and Yadav have replaced Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have been chosen for the Test tour of the West Indies. The West Zone selection committee, led by Sanjay Patel of the Mumbai Cricket Association, informed the other committee members about their inclusion.

Yadav, known for his dynamic batting style and considered a specialist in white-ball cricket, was among the standbys for the World Test Championship final earlier this month. However, he has been included in the India ODI side for the tour. It is also anticipated that he will feature in the subsequent five-match T20I series, although the squad for that series has not yet been announced. The Duleep Trophy should be complete (July 16) by the time the ODI series starts in West Indies on July 27.

Amol Muzumdar offered Baroda job

In other domestic news, the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has offered its head coach position to Amol Muzumdar. While the contract has not been finalized, BCA Secretary Ajit Lele confirmed to Cricbuzz that an offer has indeed been extended.

Muzumdar, a legendary figure in domestic cricket, has not officially confirmed his acceptance of the role. He was reportedly under consideration for the position of coach for the India women's team and understandably he is currently weighing his options.

The BCA Cricket Advisory Committee (CIC), consisting of former Baroda players Irfan Pathan, Kiran More, Satyajit Parad, and Valmik Buch, has recommended Muzumdar's name for the head coach position. If he accepts the role, Muzumdar will move from coaching one West Zone state side to another.

He previously served as the coach of the Mumbai team for two years but chose not to seek renewal of his contract after it expired earlier this year. Omkar Salvi replaced him at Mumbai team and should Muzumdar accept the Baroda role, he would come in place of Dav Whatmore, who was the coach of Baroda in the last season.