Tilak Varma to captain South Zone in Duleep Trophy 2025; Ricky Bhui vice-captain
Synopsis
T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma steps into red-ball leadership for the first time as South Zone captain in the Duleep Trophy 2025. With Karun Nair's experience, R Smaran's 950-run Ranji form, and a direct semifinal berth already secured, South Zone arrive as credible contenders at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru.
Key Takeaways
Tilak Varma named captain of South Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2025 , announced on 2 August .
Ricky Bhui appointed vice-captain; MN Vikram Varma named head coach.
Tournament runs from 23 August to 10 September at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru .
R Smaran was the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy leading run-scorer with 950 runs ; Karun Nair also included.
South Zone have a direct semifinal entry after reaching the final in the previous edition, where they lost to Central Zone .
South Zone open their campaign on 30 August at BCCI CoE Ground 2 against the Quarterfinal 2 winner.
India's T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has been named captain of the South Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, to be held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru from 23 August to 10 September. The 15-member squad was finalised on Sunday, 2 August, at a selection committee meeting convened by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA).
Ricky Bhui, the Andhra batter, has been appointed vice-captain, while experienced Level 2 coach MN Vikram Varma of Andhra will serve as head coach of the side.
Key Players in the Squad
The South Zone lineup blends experience with emerging talent. Veteran batter Karun Nair brings proven domestic pedigree, while R Smaran of Karnataka arrives on the back of a standout 2025/26 Ranji Trophy campaign — he was the tournament's leading run-scorer with 950 runs. Hyderabad's K Himateja is another promising inclusion.
Shaik Rasheed, who featured in the India 'A' side that defeated Sri Lanka 'A' 1-0, earns a place in the squad alongside Goa batter Abhinav Tejrana. Tamil Nadu's N Jagadeesan, also part of the India 'A' tour of Sri Lanka, will handle wicketkeeping duties.
Bowling Attack
The spin department will be led by left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan and leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal. The pace bowling unit comprises K Sai Teja, Tripurana Vijay, Vidvath Kaverappa, and M D Nideesh.
Selection Process and Format
The selection panel was chaired by former Andhra Ranji Trophy player RV Chandramouli Prasad, with representatives from all seven Southern state units — Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Hyderabad, Goa, Pondicherry, and Kerala — present at the meeting.
Tilak Varma's captaincy appointment follows his recent form with the national side; he was part of the India T20I team that swept Zimbabwe 3-0.
South Zone's Path in the Tournament
By virtue of reaching the final in the previous edition — where they lost to eventual champions Central Zone — South Zone have earned a direct berth into the semifinals. They will open their campaign on 30 August at BCCI CoE Ground 2 against the winner of Quarterfinal 2.
Full Squad: N Tilak Varma (captain), Ricky Bhui (vice-captain), Abhinav Tejrana, Shaik Rasheed, K M Himateja, R Smaran, N Jagadeesan (wk), Karun Nair, Tanay Thyagarajan, Shreyas Gopal, K Sai Teja, T Vijay, Vidvath Kaverappa, H Aman Khan, M D Nideesh.
With a balanced mix of international exposure and domestic form, South Zone will be among the favourites when the Duleep Trophy gets underway later this month.
Point of View
And the Duleep Trophy is historically where national-squad doors open. South Zone's direct semifinal entry means they skip the grind of the quarters, which is an advantage — but it also compresses preparation time against an opponent who will arrive battle-hardened from a quarterfinal. How Tilak manages that dynamic will be as closely watched as any individual performance.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been named captain of South Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2025?
India's T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has been named captain of the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025. The announcement was made on 2 August, with Ricky Bhui appointed as vice-captain.
When and where will the Duleep Trophy 2025 be held?
The Duleep Trophy 2025 is scheduled from 23 August to 10 September at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. South Zone's first match is on 30 August at BCCI CoE Ground 2.
Why do South Zone get a direct semifinal entry in the Duleep Trophy?
South Zone earned a direct berth into the semifinals by virtue of reaching the final in the previous edition of the Duleep Trophy, where they lost to eventual champions Central Zone. They will face the winner of Quarterfinal 2 on 30 August.
Which notable players are in the South Zone Duleep Trophy squad?
The squad includes veteran batter Karun Nair, Karnataka's R Smaran — the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy leading run-scorer with 950 runs — and Shaik Rasheed, who was part of the India 'A' side that beat Sri Lanka 'A'. N Jagadeesan will keep wickets.
Who is the head coach of South Zone for the Duleep Trophy 2025?
MN Vikram Varma, an experienced Level 2 coach from Andhra, has been appointed head coach of the South Zone side for the Duleep Trophy 2025.
