VALSAD: Valsad’s cricketing talent has earned a major spotlight, with four of the 16 players selected for Gujarat’s Under-23 squad for the 2026-27 Colonel C.K. Nayudu Trophy hailing from the district.
The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) has announced the squad for the BCCI-organised tournament, which features Under-23 men’s teams from across the country. The selection of Henil Patel, Bhavya Chauhan, Dron Desai and Divya Ahir, who play under the Valsad District Cricket Association (BDCA), has sparked celebrations among local cricket enthusiasts.
The four selections account for a quarter of Gujarat’s 16-member squad, highlighting Valsad’s contribution to the state’s cricketing pipeline. Players from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Nadiad, Surat and Valsad have been included in the squad.
Henil Patel brings international age-group experience to the team. He was selected for India’s Under-19 side last year and played a key role in the team’s successful World Cup campaign, according to the information released by the association.
The Gujarat Cricket Association extended its best wishes to the selected players, expressing hope that the team would perform strongly and bring pride to the state.
Janak Desai, honorary secretary of the Valsad District Cricket Association, congratulated the four cricketers on their selection and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity.
The selection marks an important step in the young players’ careers, offering them a platform to demonstrate their abilities at the national Under-23 level.
