Duleep Trophy 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad to captain West Zone; Shams Mulani vice-captain
Synopsis
Ruturaj Gaikwad takes over the West Zone captaincy from Shardul Thakur for the Duleep Trophy 2025, leading a loaded squad that includes Prithvi Shaw and the Khan brothers. With national selectors watching closely, this tournament could shape India's red-ball plans for the season ahead.
Key Takeaways
Ruturaj Gaikwad named captain of West Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2025 , succeeding Shardul Thakur .
Shams Mulani appointed vice-captain; tournament runs 23 August to 10 September at BCCI CoE, Bengaluru .
Squad includes Prithvi Shaw , Sarfaraz Khan , Musheer Khan , Tanush Kotian , and Tushar Deshpande .
Two specialist wicket-keepers named: Harvik Desai and Urvil Patel .
A six-member standby list includes Rajvardhan Hangargekar and Arshin Kulkarni .
West Zone reached the semi-finals in the previous edition but were eliminated on first-innings lead by Central Zone.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named captain of a star-studded West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Shams Mulani appointed as his vice-captain. The squad was announced on Monday, 20 July following a zonal selection committee meeting, ahead of the tournament scheduled from 23 August to 10 September at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) grounds in Bengaluru.
Captaincy Baton Shifts from Thakur to Gaikwad
Last year, seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur led West Zone to the semi-finals of the Duleep Trophy, where they were edged out by Central Zone on first-innings lead. This time, the captaincy passes to Gaikwad, who also skippers Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and recently featured in the India 'A' squad for both the 50-over tri-series and red-ball fixtures against Sri Lanka 'A'. The transition signals a generational shift in West Zone's leadership, with Gaikwad — one of India's most consistent red-ball openers in recent seasons — now at the helm.
A Batting Line-Up Built for Depth
The squad boasts two specialist wicket-keepers in Harvik Desai and Urvil Patel. Alongside Gaikwad at the top, Prithvi Shaw and the highly-rated Khan brothers — Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan — add proven domestic firepower. Jaymeet Patel and Shivalik Sharma round out a batting department that blends experience with emerging talent.
Spin and Pace Options Well Covered
Vice-captain Mulani will spearhead the spin attack, supported by off-spin bowling all-rounder Tanush Kotian and left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai. The pace department is equally well-stocked, featuring Shardul Thakur alongside speedsters Tushar Deshpande, Mukesh Chaudhary, and all-rounder Atit Sheth — giving West Zone a formidable multi-pronged attack on the CoE pitches.
Six-Member Standby List Named
Selectors have also confirmed a six-member standby list to cover injury contingencies: Jay Gohil, Aarya Desai, Arshin Kulkarni, Mahesh Pithiya, Vishal Jayswal, and Rajvardhan Hangargekar. With the Duleep Trophy serving as a key selection showcase ahead of India's upcoming red-ball calendar, performances in Bengaluru will be closely watched by national selectors.
Point of View
But it also underscores a wider selection logic: the Duleep Trophy is now functioning as a live audition for India's Test pipeline. With Sarfaraz and Musheer Khan both pushing for permanent Test berths, and Prithvi Shaw attempting a red-ball revival, West Zone's squad reads less like a domestic side and more like a national selection trial. The real story here is not who captains West Zone — it is whether these performances translate into Test call-ups before the season ends.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of West Zone for Duleep Trophy 2025?
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named captain of the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025. He takes over the role from Shardul Thakur, who led the side in the previous edition.
When and where will the Duleep Trophy 2025 be played?
The Duleep Trophy 2025 is scheduled from 23 August to 10 September at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) grounds in Bengaluru.
Who is the vice-captain of West Zone for the Duleep Trophy?
Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Shams Mulani has been named vice-captain of the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025.
Which notable players are included in the West Zone Duleep Trophy squad?
The squad features Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, and Tanush Kotian, among others. Two specialist wicket-keepers — Harvik Desai and Urvil Patel — have also been included.
How did West Zone perform in the previous Duleep Trophy?
West Zone reached the semi-finals of the previous Duleep Trophy but were eliminated by Central Zone, who secured the first-innings lead to advance to the final.
