Follow UsThe Duleep Trophy 2025-26 will kick off the Indian domestic cricket season from August 28 onwards. Unlike last season, where teams were divided into India A, B, C and D, the tournament has returned to being played between different zones, which are composed of BCCI-affiliated state cricket boards.
Mumbai Indians star Tilak Varma was named the captain of the South Zone on July 26, reported the Indian Express. Varma, who represents Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic games, will lead a side dominated by players from Kerala, which finished as runners-up in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
The 22-year-old, who averages 54.25 with the bat in 21 First-Class games and also has eight wickets at a bowling average of 20.12, is an ideal fit to lead a young South Zone side that will play directly in the Semi-Final of the event.
The North, East, Central and Northeast zones will play two quarterfinals amongst themselves to determine two teams that will go on to meet the South and West Zones in the semi-finals.
Kerala batter Mohammed Azharuddeen will be Tilak’s deputy for the tournament.
South Zone Duleep Trophy 2025 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), Snehal Kauthankar (Goa).
Stand-by players
Mohit Redkar (Goa), R Smaran (Karnataka), Ankit Sharma (Pondicherry), Edhen Apple Tom (Kerala), Andre Siddarth (Tamil Nadu), Shaikh Rasheed (Andhra).