Who Are the New Faces in the Duleep Trophy East Zone Squad?
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Synopsis
Exciting updates from the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy, including the return of seasoned players and fresh talent. With Ishan Kishan at the helm, the team is set to make waves starting August 28. Discover who made the cut and what to expect from this thrilling tournament!
Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Shami returns to competitive cricket after the IPL 2025.
- Ishan Kishan leads the East Zone as captain.
- The squad features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.
- The Duleep Trophy adopts the traditional zonal format.
- East Zone faces North Zone in the quarter-finals.
Ranchi, Aug 1 (NationPress) Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been selected for the East Zone team participating in the Duleep Trophy, which is set to commence on August 28 in Bengaluru. The zonal selectors for East Zone convened at the JSCA International Stadium on Friday and entrusted Ishan Kishan, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, with the captaincy of the squad.
Shami has not participated in competitive cricket since the IPL 2025, where he managed only six wickets across nine innings with an economy rate of 11.23 while playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The experienced right-arm pacer last represented India during their triumphant run in the 2025 Champions Trophy and has recently been included in Bengal’s list of probables for the Ranji Trophy.
Easwaran, the right-handed opener who has been on the sidelines during the current Test series against England, will serve as the vice-captain. Akash, who achieved a remarkable ten-wicket haul in India’s 336-run victory in Birmingham, will join Shami, Mukesh Kumar, and Suraj Jaiswal in managing the pace attack.
Other notable inclusions are Indian all-rounder Riyan Parag and Kumar Kushagra, a wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand. Among the stand-by players is Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a teenage left-handed opener who gained attention with a stunning 35-ball century in IPL 2025 for Rajasthan Royals and had a successful outing on the U19 tour of England.
The Duleep Trophy will adopt the traditional zonal format comprising six teams, marking the initiation of the 2025/26 domestic cricket season. The East Zone will kick off their journey with a quarter-final match against the North Zone at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground, with the winner set to face the South Zone in the semi-finals.
East Zone Squad: Ishan Kishan (c) (Jharkhand), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc) (Bengal), Sandeep Pattnaik (Odisha), Virat Singh (Jharkhand), Denish Das (Assam), Sridam Paul (Tripura), Sharandeep Singh (Jharkhand), Kumar Kushagra (Jharkhand), Riyan Parag (Assam), Utkarsh Singh (Jharkhand), Manishi (Jharkhand), Suraj Jaiswal (Bengal), Mukesh Kumar (Bengal), Akash Deep (Bengal), and Mohammed Shami (Bengal).
Stand-bys: Mukhtar Hussain (Assam), Aasirwad Swain (Odisha), Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Bihar), Swastik Samal (Odisha), Sudip Kr Gharami (Bengal), and Rahul Singh (Assam).
Point of View
The inclusion of experienced players alongside emerging talent in the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy highlights a strategic approach to nurturing the next generation of cricketers. With Ishan Kishan's leadership, this blend of youth and experience is poised to make a significant impact in the domestic season.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Duleep Trophy start?
The Duleep Trophy is set to begin on August 28, 2025.
Who is the captain of the East Zone team?
Ishan Kishan has been appointed as the captain of the East Zone team.
What format will the Duleep Trophy follow?
The Duleep Trophy will follow the traditional zonal format featuring six teams.
Who are notable players in the East Zone squad?
Notable players include Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, and Riyan Parag.
Where will the East Zone play their quarter-final match?
The East Zone will play their quarter-final match at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground.
