Will Tilak Varma Lead South Zone in the 2025 Duleep Trophy?
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Synopsis
India's cricket scene is abuzz as Tilak Varma steps up to captain the South Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. With a blend of emerging talent and seasoned players, this tournament promises to kick off the 2025/26 domestic season with excitement. Will Tilak lead his team to victory? Find out more!
Key Takeaways
- Tilak Varma appointed as captain of South Zone.
- Mohammed Azharuddeen serves as vice-captain.
- The tournament begins on August 28.
- The South Zone's first match is on September 4.
- Former cricketer Lakshmipathy Balaji is the head coach.
New Delhi, July 27 (NationPress) - The talented left-handed batter from India, Tilak Varma, is set to lead the South Zone in the 2025 Duleep Trophy, which kicks off on August 28. This tournament will be conducted in the traditional zonal layout featuring six teams and signifies the start of the 2025/26 domestic cricket season.
Despite not participating in the last Ranji Trophy season due to his commitments with the Indian team, Tilak made a remarkable debut in the County Championship for Hampshire against Essex, scoring a century and following it with impressive knocks of 56, 47, and 100.
Named as the vice-captain is Kerala's Mohammed Azharuddeen, who showcased his skills with a career-best score of 177 during the Ranji semi-final against Gujarat in Ahmedabad. The South Zone selectors convened in Pondicherry to finalize the squad.
Other notable players include batter Salman Nizar and pacers Basil NP and Nidheesh MD. Hyderabad opener Tanmay Agarwal, who scored 934 runs in seven matches and played a crucial role in bringing his team back to the Elite system in the Ranji Trophy, is also part of the squad.
More renowned names in the lineup are left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore, left-handed batter Devdutt Padikkal, and wicketkeeper-batter Narayan Jagadeesan, who recently received his first India call-up as a replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant for the upcoming fifth Test against England at The Oval.
The Duleep Trophy will commence on August 28 with quarter-final matches between North Zone and East Zone, while Central Zone faces North East Zone at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The South Zone's first match is scheduled for September 4, where they will compete against the winner of the North vs. East Zone clash. Former Indian fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji has been appointed as the head coach for the South Zone team.
South Zone Duleep Trophy squad: Tilak Varma (c) (Hyderabad), Mohammed Azharuddeen (vc) (Kerala), Tanmay Agarwal (Hyderabad), Devdutt Padikkal (Karnataka), Mohit Kale (Pondicherry), Salman Nizar (Kerala), Narayan Jagadeesan (Tamil Nadu), Tripurana Vijay (Andhra), R Sai Kishore (Tamil Nadu), Tanay Thyagarajan (Hyderabad), Vijaykumar Vyshak (Karnataka), Nidheesh MD (Kerala), Ricky Bhui (Andhra), Basil NP (Kerala), Gurjapneet Singh (Tamil Nadu), and Snehal Kauthankar (Goa).
Stand-by players: Mohit Redkar (Goa), R Smaran (Karnataka), Ankit Sharma (Pondicherry), Edhen Apple Tom (Kerala), Andre Siddarth (Tamil Nadu), and Shaikh Rasheed (Andhra).
Point of View
It is imperative to recognize the significance of Tilak Varma's leadership in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. With a blend of youth and experience in the squad, this season presents a crucial opportunity for the South Zone to showcase their talent and potentially reclaim their dominance in Indian domestic cricket. The combination of established players and emerging stars is a recipe for excitement as we look forward to an engaging season ahead.
NationPress
29/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Duleep Trophy 2025 start?
The Duleep Trophy 2025 is scheduled to commence on August 28, 2025.
Who is leading the South Zone in the 2025 Duleep Trophy?
Tilak Varma has been appointed as the captain of the South Zone for the 2025 Duleep Trophy.
What is the format of the Duleep Trophy 2025?
The Duleep Trophy 2025 will be held in the traditional zonal format featuring six teams.
Which notable players are in the South Zone squad?
The South Zone squad includes notable players such as Mohammed Azharuddeen, Devdutt Padikkal, and Narayan Jagadeesan.
Where will the matches be held?
Matches will be held at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
