Padikkal, Siraj named in South Zone squad for Duleep Trophy final vs East
Synopsis
Fresh off a Player-of-the-Series performance in Sri Lanka, Devdutt Padikkal joins Mohammed Siraj in South Zone's Duleep Trophy final squad against East Zone. The bigger story: a scheduling headache that could see T20I regulars Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — East Zone's captain and vice-captain — pulled out just days before India's Afghanistan series, potentially forcing a last-minute leadership reshuffle.
Key Takeaways
Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj named in South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy final beginning 6 September .
Padikkal was Player of the Series against Sri Lanka with 328 runs in three innings, including two centuries .
Siraj took four wickets across the two Tests in Galle and Colombo .
T20I players Tilak Varma , Ishan Kishan , and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are reportedly likely to play the final despite India's Afghanistan T20I series starting 13 September .
If the trio is rested, Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to captain East Zone .
South defeated North by chasing 181 ; East defeated Central Zone by chasing 159 in the semifinals.
Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj, fresh from India's 1-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka, have been named in the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone, which begins on 6 September in what promises to be a high-profile red-ball showdown.
Star Power from the Sri Lanka Tour
Padikkal was the standout batter of the Sri Lanka series, finishing as the Player of the Series with 328 runs across three innings, including two centuries. Siraj contributed with four wickets across the two Tests played in Galle and Colombo, even as spinners dominated conditions in both venues. It has not been confirmed whom the two have replaced in the South Zone squad.
T20I Trio Also in the Mix
According to Cricinfo, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma — all T20I regulars — are also reportedly likely to feature in the final, despite the Duleep Trophy match concluding on 10 September, just three days before India's T20I series against Afghanistan begins on 13 September.
Tilak, who captained South Zone in the semifinal, had expressed a clear desire to play the final. 'I would love to play the final,' he said. 'This match has just finished, but I think the Afghanistan game is on the 13th. I am ready to play the final. After that we have two days of break in between, and if I report on the 11th also, I can practise for a day and from there I can go and play the match.'
A Scheduling Complication for East Zone
The situation is further complicated by the fact that Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi serve as captain and vice-captain, respectively, for East Zone. Should team management decide to rest all three players ahead of the Afghanistan T20I series, East Zone would need a new captain. Abhimanyu Easwaran, a long-serving captain for Bengal, is considered the most likely candidate to step into that role.
How the Finalists Got Here
South Zone advanced to the final by chasing down 181 against North Zone in the semifinal. Tilak was instrumental, scoring 51 in the chase after his first-innings 116. East Zone, meanwhile, defeated defending champions Central Zone in the other semifinal, successfully hunting down 159. The Duleep Trophy final is set to run from 6 to 10 September, with the winner claiming the prestigious red-ball domestic crown.
Point of View
Even at the final stage. If East Zone's captain and vice-captain are pulled out three days before the final ends, it signals that white-ball commitments remain the de facto priority regardless of what selectors say about Test culture. Easwaran, a patient accumulator who has long waited for a consistent Test call-up, could find the captaincy role a rare spotlight — but only if the bigger names step aside.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been named in South Zone's squad for the Duleep Trophy final?
India internationals Devdutt Padikkal and Mohammed Siraj have been named in the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone, which begins on 6 September. T20I regulars Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are also reportedly likely to feature.
When does the Duleep Trophy 2024 final begin and end?
The Duleep Trophy final between South Zone and East Zone begins on 6 September and is scheduled to conclude on 10 September.
Why is Tilak Varma's participation in the Duleep Trophy final uncertain?
Tilak Varma, along with Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, faces a scheduling conflict as India's T20I series against Afghanistan begins on 13 September — just three days after the final ends. Team management may choose to rest them ahead of the T20I assignment, though Tilak has publicly stated he is ready to play both.
What happens to East Zone's captaincy if Ishan Kishan is rested?
Ishan Kishan serves as East Zone's captain, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain. If both are rested, Abhimanyu Easwaran — a long-serving Bengal captain — is considered the most likely candidate to lead East Zone in the final.
How did South Zone and East Zone reach the Duleep Trophy final?
South Zone defeated North Zone in the semifinal by successfully chasing 181, with Tilak Varma scoring 116 in the first innings and 51 in the chase. East Zone beat defending champions Central Zone in the other semifinal, chasing down 159.
