The North Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025, announced today, features a mix of established internationals and emerging domestic talents, captained by India Test skipper Shubman Gill. The tournament, starting August 28 in Bengaluru, marks the return to a six-team zonal format for India’s 2025-26 domestic season. North Zone faces East Zone in the quarter-final, aiming for a semi-final berth. This squad, with its blend of youth and experience, offers a glimpse into India’s red-ball future. Below are detailed player profiles, with replacement and standby players listed separately, followed by an analysis from an Indian cricket perspective and the full squad list. Due to potential Asia Cup commitments (September 9-28, overlapping with the Duleep Trophy), Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana may miss the tournament, with Shubham Rohilla, Gurnoor Brar, and Anuj Thakral named as their respective replacements. Standby players are also designated to add further depth to the squad.
1. Shubman Gill (Punjab Cricket Association): The 25-year-old right-hand batter is India’s Test captain, coming off a 2-2 series draw in England, where he scored 754 runs at an average of 75, including two centuries. A stylish top-order batter, Gill’s leadership in the Duleep Trophy will be his first for North Zone, having previously captained India A. His inclusion strengthens North Zone, but his participation is uncertain due to potential Asia Cup commitments, with Shubham Rohilla as his replacement. His recent Test form underscores his importance to India’s future, and his ability to anchor and accelerate innings will be vital if he plays.
2. Shubham Khajuria (Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association): A 30-year-old opening batter, Khajuria is a domestic mainstay known for his solid technique and ability to play long innings. He contributed to Jammu & Kashmir’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final run last season. His experience as an opener is crucial, and with India’s Test opening slots under scrutiny, a strong tournament could position him as a potential national pick, especially if he excels against pace.
3. Ankit Kumar (Haryana Cricket Association): A 28-year-old middle-order batter and vice-captain, Ankit is known for his grit and versatility, bringing leadership experience from Haryana’s domestic circuit. His role as deputy reflects confidence in his tactical skills. His ability to stabilize the middle order, particularly against spin in Bengaluru, could elevate his prospects for India A selection with a standout performance.
4. Ayush Badoni (Delhi & District Cricket Association): The 26-year-old all-rounder is a dynamic right-hand batter and occasional off-spinner, known for his white-ball flair but eager to prove himself in red-ball cricket. His inclusion aligns with India’s search for Test all-rounders. His aggressive batting could be a game-changer in pressure situations, but he needs consistent first-class performances to enter the national frame.
5. Yash Dhull (Delhi & District Cricket Association): A 23-year-old right-hand batter, Dhull led India to the 2022 U19 World Cup title and is known for his elegant strokeplay and consistency for Delhi. He represents India’s next generation of batting talent. With senior players like Pujara and Rahane omitted from other squads, a big tournament could fast-track him to India A or Test contention.
6. Ankit Kalsi (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association): A 32-year-old left-hand batter, Kalsi is a domestic veteran known for his patience and ability to build innings, a reliable run-scorer for Himachal Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. His experience adds depth, anchoring the batting to allow younger players like Dhull and Badoni to play freely. A strong showing could keep him in the India A conversation.
7. Nishant Sindhu (Haryana Cricket Association): A 21-year-old all-rounder, Sindhu is a left-hand batter and left-arm spinner who shone in the 2022 U19 World Cup and has shown domestic promise. He’s a long-term prospect for India’s Test all-rounder slot, complementing Ravindra Jadeja. The Duleep Trophy is a key platform for him to showcase his dual skills against quality opposition.
8. Sahil Lotra (Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association): A young spinner from Jammu & Kashmir, Lotra is a new face in domestic cricket, recognized for his control and variations. His selection highlights North Zone’s spin focus. With India’s senior spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja aging, a strong performance could position him for future India A assignments.
9. Mayank Dagar (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association): A 29-year-old left-arm spinner with over 100 first-class wickets, Dagar is a seasoned domestic performer known for his accuracy and ability to bowl long spells. His experience will be crucial on Bengaluru’s spin-friendly pitches. Consistent performances could make him a backup spinner for India A or a domestic leader.
10. Yudhvir Singh Charak (Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association): A 27-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder, Yudhvir offers pace and lower-order batting firepower, standing out for Jammu & Kashmir in recent seasons. His raw pace could challenge opposition batters, and his batting adds depth. India’s need for fast-bowling all-rounders makes him a player to watch, though he must improve consistency for national consideration.
11. Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Cricket Association): A 26-year-old left-arm pacer, Arshdeep was part of India’s Test squad in England but didn’t play. Known for swing and T20I death-over skills, he’s adapting to red-ball cricket. The Duleep Trophy is a chance to prove his Test credentials, but his participation is uncertain due to potential Asia Cup duties, with Gurnoor Brar as his replacement. A standout performance could push him toward a Test debut, leveraging his swing bowling.
12. Harshit Rana (Delhi & District Cricket Association): A 24-year-old right-arm pacer, Rana played for India A against England Lions and was in the Test squad for Australia. Known for pace and bounce, his aggression makes him a promising prospect. His participation is uncertain due to potential Asia Cup commitments, with Anuj Thakral as his replacement. His Duleep Trophy performance could signal Test readiness, especially as India seeks to deepen its pace attack for home series.
13. Anshul Kamboj (Haryana Cricket Association): A 25-year-old right-arm pacer, Kamboj debuted in Tests against England in 2025 but struggled. Known for accuracy and ball movement, the Duleep Trophy is a redemption platform. His ability to swing the ball in Bengaluru could restore his case for India A or Test selection.
14. Auqib Nabi (Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association): A 24-year-old right-arm pacer, Nabi is a rising star from Jammu & Kashmir, known for his pace and hard-hitting bowling style. His selection, alongside four other Jammu & Kashmir players, reflects the region’s growing cricketing stature. A strong tournament could fast-track him to India A.
15. Kanhaiya Wadhawan (Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association): A 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, Wadhawan is an emerging talent with sharp glovework and lower-order batting ability. Facing stiff competition from India’s wicketkeepers like Pant, Jurel, and Kishan, his role will be to provide reliable keeping and contribute runs, aiming to impress selectors for future domestic tournaments.
Replacement Players
1. Shubham Rohilla (Services): A dependable opener with a solid domestic record, Rohilla is the designated replacement for Shubman Gill if he is unavailable due to Asia Cup commitments. His inclusion ensures batting stability and depth at the top order.
2. Gurnoor Brar (Punjab): A young pacer and the designated replacement for Arshdeep Singh due to potential Asia Cup duties, Brar has the potential to swing the ball, adding depth to the pace attack if called upon.
3. Anuj Thakral (Haryana): A versatile batter and the designated replacement for Harshit Rana due to potential Asia Cup commitments, Thakral can stabilize the middle order, offering flexibility to the squad.
Standby Players
1. Shubham Arora (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association): A wicketkeeper-batter, Arora provides backup for Kanhaiya Wadhawan, ensuring depth in the wicketkeeping department.
2. Jaskaranvir Singh Paul (Punjab Cricket Association): A batter from Punjab, Paul adds batting depth as a standby option for the squad.
3. Ravi Chauhan (Services): A top-order batter, Chauhan offers experience and stability as a standby player.
4. Abid Mushtaq (Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association): A left-arm spinner, Mushtaq provides spin bowling depth and represents Jammu & Kashmir’s growing presence.
5. Nishunk Birla (Chandigarh Cricket Association): Nishunk Birla is a young left-arm orthodox spinner from Chandigarh who was a breakout star in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. He finished as one of the top wicket-takers of the tournament, taking 36 wickets for his team.
6. Umar Nazir (Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association): A pacer, Nazir strengthens the pace bowling reserves for North Zone.
7. Divesh Sharma (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association): A versatile player, Sharma provides additional depth as a standby option.
The North Zone squad reflects India’s evolving red-ball landscape. Shubman Gill’s leadership provides stability, but his potential absence for the Asia Cup, along with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, could test Ankit Kumar’s captaincy and the replacements’ readiness. The batting unit, with Khajuria, Dhull, and Badoni, balances youth and experience, vital as India transitions from veterans like Pujara and Rahane. The pace attack—Arshdeep, Rana, Kamboj, and Nabi—offers swing, bounce, and pace, aligning with India’s goal to build a robust pace pool beyond Bumrah and Siraj. The spin duo of Dagar and Sindhu, though less experienced, has potential on Bengaluru’s spin-friendly pitches. The inclusion of five Jammu & Kashmir players in the main squad and one in the standbys signals the BCCI’s focus on emerging regions, broadening India’s cricketing base. This squad is a testing ground for future Test stars, with players like Dhull, Badoni, and Rana close to national selection and Arshdeep and Kamboj aiming to solidify their red-ball credentials.
Conclusion
North Zone’s Duleep Trophy 2025 squad combines proven performers and rising stars, poised for impact in the knockout format. The tournament is a critical platform for identifying India’s next Test players, particularly in batting and pace bowling. With Gill leading (if available) and talents like Dhull and Nabi eager to shine, North Zone could dominate the domestic season while feeding India’s Test pipeline. The designated replacements and standby players ensure depth, addressing potential disruptions from the Asia Cup.
North Zone Full Squad
Shubman Gill, Shubham Khajuria, Ankit Kumar, Ayush Badoni, Yash Dhull, Ankit Kalsi, Nishant Sindhu, Sahil Lotra, Mayank Dagar, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Shubham Rohilla, Gurnoor Brar, Anuj Thakral, Shubham Arora, Jaskaranvir Singh Paul, Ravi Chauhan, Abid Mushtaq, Nishunk Birla, Umar Nazir, Divesh Sharma
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