Mumbai’s dependable all-rounder Shardul Thakur has been named captain of the West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025, scheduled to begin on August 28 in Bengaluru. The decision, made by the Zonal Selection Committee, reflects Thakur’s consistent domestic performances and leadership qualities.
Despite having several high-profile players like Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the squad, the selectors opted for Thakur as captain due to the possibility of Iyer being called up for the Asia Cup 2025, which begins on September 9.
Leadership Based on Form and Fitness
Shardul Thakur has played a vital role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy campaigns over recent seasons, delivering key performances with both bat and ball. Alongside Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian, Thakur has been instrumental in rescuing Mumbai from tricky situations, especially with lower-order partnerships.
While Shreyas Iyer had expressed his availability for the Duleep Trophy, his potential selection in the Asia Cup squad made the selectors hesitant to hand him the captaincy. Iyer has not featured in Test cricket since February 2024, but his recent form — including leading the Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final — keeps him in national contention.
Star Players Galore in West Zone Line-Up
The West Zone squad boasts a strong mix of youth and experience. Apart from Shardul and Iyer, the squad features IPL and domestic cricket stars such as:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – India’s promising top-order batter
- Sarfaraz Khan – Consistent performer in domestic circuits
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – Versatile batter across all formats
- Tushar Deshpande – Reliable pace option
- Shams Mulani & Tanush Kotian – Key all-round contributors
Zonal Format Returns for 2025–26 Season
This year marks the return of the traditional zonal format in the Duleep Trophy. The teams are selected by state associations from their respective zones, reviving regional rivalries and giving domestic players a prominent platform to shine.
The 2025–26 Indian domestic season will kick off with the Duleep Trophy and conclude with the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy in April 2026. The prestigious Ranji Trophy will start from October 15, 2025, with Phase 2 (Elite Stage) running between January 22 and February 1, 2026.
Looking Ahead
With a balanced and competitive squad, West Zone will be eager to reclaim dominance in the domestic circuit. All eyes will be on how this star-studded unit performs under the calm leadership of Shardul Thakur. Fans can expect some thrilling red-ball action as India’s future Test stars battle it out for zonal glory.
Complete West Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2025
Main Squad:
- 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
Standby Players:
- Mahesh Pithiya (Baroda)
- Shivalik Sharma (Baroda)
- Mukesh Choudhary (Maharashtra)
- Siddharth Desai (Gujarat)
- Chintan Gaja (Gujarat)
- Musheer Khan (Mumbai)
- Urvil Patel (Gujarat)
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