Prominent duo from the West Zone team not selected for the Duleep Trophy squad
The much-anticipated Duleep Trophy is set to kick off the 2025-26 Indian domestic season, starting from August 28 and running until September 15. This year, the tournament will revert to a zonal format with six teams participating, including the West Zone squad.
However, a notable absence from the West Zone team is the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane (Mumbai) and Cheteshwar Pujara (Saurashtra). The selectors have opted to exclude these celebrated Test specialists from the 15-member team, appointing bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur as captain in their stead.
The reasons behind this decision have not been explicitly stated, but the exclusion of these experienced international players seems to represent a strategic choice or a focus on form and team balance for the tournament. It's worth noting that such exclusions of senior players from domestic tournaments are not uncommon, often influenced by workload management or form considerations.
The West Zone squad boasts a strong lineup of batters, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Aarya Desai, and Manan Hingrajia set to take the crease. Behind the wickets, Harvik Desai and Saurabh Nawale will don the gloves. The all-rounders in the squad are Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Jaymeet Patel, and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja.
In terms of bowling, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, and Arzan Nagwaswalla make up the West Zone squad. Interestingly, Thakur, who has never captained a first-class match, led Mumbai twice in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December 2024.
As the Duleep Trophy approaches, cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the first pitch, with the West Zone squad ready to make their mark in the tournament. Stay tuned for updates on the tournament and other cricket news.
[1] India Today [3] ESPN Cricinfo [5] Cricket Country
Sports fans are excited as the Duleep Trophy, marking the commencement of the 2025-26 Indian domestic season, is scheduled to begin on August 28 and conclude on September 15. This edition will see six teams competing, including the West Zone squad, who provide an impressive lineup of players in sports, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and Shardul Thakur, who has been appointed captain despite his lack of first-class captaincy experience. For the latest cricket news and updates on the Duleep Trophy, follow sports channels like India Today, ESPN Cricinfo, and Cricket Country.
