With the Duleep Trophy 2025 just weeks away, West Zone have unveiled a strong squad led by experienced all-rounder Shardul Thakur. The team blends youth and experience, aiming to make a deep run in the prestigious domestic tournament as they prepare to begin their campaign directly from the semifinal stage.
Squad announced after selection meeting in Mumbai
The West Zone Selection Committee has appointed Shardul as captain of a 15-member squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025. The announcement was made on Friday (August 1) following a selection meeting at the Sharad Pawar Indoor Cricket Academy in BKC, Mumbai. The squad features a strong core of seven Mumbai players, complemented by four from Gujarat and two each from Maharashtra and Saurashtra.
Key inclusions and notable omissions
Alongside Shardul, the team will be boosted by the presence of Mumbai stars Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, and Sarfaraz Khan. Ruturaj Gaikwad from Maharashtra further strengthens the batting lineup. However, veteran batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been left out of the squad, signaling a shift towards a younger, more dynamic combination.
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Tournament schedule and venues
The Duleep Trophy 2025 is set to begin on August 28 with the two quarterfinal matches. West Zone, who have earned a direct semifinal spot, will start their campaign on September 4, while the tournament final is scheduled to be played from September 11. All fixtures will be hosted at the BCCI Centre of Excellence ground in Bengaluru.
West Zone squad: Shardul Thakur (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Aarya Desai, Harvik Desai, Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jaymeet Patel, Manan Hingrajia, Saurabh Nawale, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Dharmendra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Arzan Nagwaswala
Standby players: Mahesh Pithiya, Shivalik Sharma, Mukesh Chaudhary, Siddharth Desai, Chintan Gaja, Musheer Khan, Urvil Patel
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