All-rounder Shardul Thakur has been named captain of the star-studded West Zone team for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which kicks off on August 28 in Bengaluru.
Thakur Takes the Helm for West Zone
The zonal selection committee made the decision on Friday, opting for Mumbai’s bowling all-rounder, Shardul Thakur, to lead the side. This choice came despite the squad boasting prominent names like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The primary reason for not naming Shreyas Iyer as captain was the selection committee’s belief that he might be picked for the Asia Cup team, scheduled to play from September 9 onwards. This move aims to ensure West Zone has a consistent leader throughout the Duleep Trophy tournament.
Thakur’s Proven All-Round Contributions
Shardul Thakur has been a crucial player in Mumbai’s recent Ranji Trophy successes. He consistently contributes with both bat and ball, often bailing the team out of tricky situations with valuable lower-order runs.
Over the last two seasons, Thakur has played a leading role in Mumbai’s rescue acts, alongside fellow all-rounders Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani. Both Kotian and Mulani will join Thakur in the West Zone squad, which also includes pacer Tushar Deshpande.
Shreyas Iyer’s Recent Cricket Journey
Shreyas Iyer had previously confirmed his availability to play in the Duleep Trophy. He has played 14 Tests for India, scoring one century and five half-centuries, though his last appearance in the longest format internationally was in February 2024 against England.
Despite his Test hiatus, Iyer was an integral part of the Indian team that secured the 50-overs Champions Trophy title in Dubai earlier this year. More recently, he captained Punjab Kings to the final of the 2025 Indian Premier League season, where they were defeated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Iyer was not selected for the ongoing Indian Test tour to England, with selectors opting for Karun Nair, who has shown prolific returns in recent domestic cricket.
The Domestic Cricket Season Kicks Off
The 2025-26 domestic season will commence with the Duleep Trophy on August 28, 2025. It will conclude with the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy on April 3, 2026.
The prestigious Ranji Trophy season is slated to begin on October 15, with its first phase running until November 19. The second phase of the elite competition will then resume from January 22, 2026, extending to February 1.
This season marks the return of the Duleep Trophy to its traditional zonal format, with squads being picked by state selectors from their respective zones. South Zone were the reigning champions in the 2023-24 Duleep Trophy season.
West Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy
- Shardul Thakur (Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Aarya Desai
- Harvik Desai (Wicketkeeper)
- Shreyas Iyer
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Jaymeet Patel
- Manan Hingrajia
- Saurabh Nawale (Wicketkeeper)
- Shams Mulani
- Tanush Kotian
- Dharmendra Jadeja
- Tushar Deshpande
- Arzan Nagwaswala
With a blend of established stars and promising talent, West Zone will be looking to make a strong statement in this year’s Duleep Trophy.
