Panaji, Goa: Goa’s promising cricketer Abhinav Tejrana has reached another major milestone in his cricketing journey after being selected in the prestigious South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy, becoming the only player from Goa to earn a place in this year’s team.
Speaking on the achievement, Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Senior Selection Committee Chairman Girish Parekh said Abhinav’s inclusion was the result of consistent performances over the past few seasons and reflected the high standards required to secure selection at the zonal level.
Highly Competitive Selection Process
Parekh explained that the South Zone selection meeting was extremely competitive, with representatives from all seven South Zone cricket associations participating in a marathon five-hour discussion before finalising the squad.
“South Zone is one of the strongest zones in Indian cricket, with several current and former India players competing for places. Every selection is highly competitive,” Parekh said.
Consistency Earned Him Recognition
According to Parekh, Abhinav’s outstanding performances in the Ranji Trophy made his selection difficult to ignore.
The left-handed batter amassed 788 runs in just 12 innings across seven Ranji Trophy matches, consistently finishing among the tournament’s leading run-scorers.
“His performances made it very difficult for the selectors to overlook him. Apart from his numbers, he is an attacking batter who adapts well to different match situations and never allows bowlers to dominate him. He is a genuine threat in all formats of the game,” Parekh stated.
Complete Package for Higher Honours
Parekh added that Abhinav’s left-handed batting style, versatility, and age strengthened his case during the discussions.
“Team selection is always about finding the right combination. Based on the discussions, I can confidently say he is expected to feature in the playing XI. If he continues performing at this level, he will certainly attract the attention of national selectors and could even earn an IPL opportunity in the future,” he said.
Longer Format Still the Biggest Pathway
While congratulating Abhinav, Parekh emphasised the importance of first-class cricket in shaping future international cricketers.
“Many youngsters today are losing interest in four-day cricket, but performances in the longer format remain the biggest pathway to higher honours. Professional cricket demands patience, consistency and commitment. Abhinav has shown that sustained performances are rewarded,” he remarked.
Bright Future for Goa Cricket
Parekh also highlighted the growing pool of cricketing talent emerging from Goa while stressing that consistency remains the deciding factor.
He pointed to Snehal Kauthankar, who recently became the first Goan cricketer to receive the prestigious BCCI Madhavrao Scindia Award for being the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy Plate Group during the 2024-25 season, and Suyash Prabhudessai, who has already established himself in the Indian Premier League.
“We have talented players in Goa, but consistency is what separates those who progress to the next level. The standard of Indian cricket is incredibly high, and players have to perform season after season to remain in contention,” Parekh added.
Abhinav Tejrana’s selection marks another proud chapter for Goa cricket and serves as an inspiration for young cricketers across the state aspiring to represent Goa and eventually earn national recognition.
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