The Duleep Trophy 2025, starting on August 28th in Bengaluru, will mark the beginning of India’s home cricket season. The tournament will feature the traditional zonal format. West Zone has announced a strong team, captained by Shardul Thakur, featuring prominent players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The absence of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara indicates a shift in the team’s strategy.
The decision to appoint Shardul Thakur as captain instead of Shreyas Iyer has sparked discussion. Many expected Iyer to lead the team, given his experience. However, the decision was influenced by scheduling and potential availability. The Asia Cup is scheduled to begin on September 9th, and Iyer is likely to be selected for the Indian team. The selectors did not want to risk naming a captain who might not be available for the entire Duleep Trophy. Therefore, Shardul Thakur was chosen, as he has a better chance of being available throughout the competition.
A day before the squad announcement, it emerged that Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, and Shivam Dube had expressed their interest in playing in the Duleep Trophy. Iyer, who last played a Test in February 2024 against England, is eager to secure his place in the Test side. He has played 14 Tests, with one century and five half-centuries. Sarfaraz Khan, who was also part of the England series, is in a similar situation, hoping to impress the selectors. Currently, Shardul Thakur will captain West Zone, while Iyer’s focus may soon shift to international duties if he is selected for India’s Asia Cup team.